11th January 2014 saw Hemel’s two teams make a very solid start to their 2014 campaign in the Herts Major Swimming League, the A team finished third in their Division One gala at Hitchin whilst the B Team matched that result in their Division Two Gala at Stevenage.
The Division One team produced 21 Personal Best Times whilst the Division Two team produced 34 PBs.
At the Division One Gala where the top teams in Hertfordshire were competing they produced 14 top 3 finishes with Freddie Woodcock winning the Open Boys 100m Freestyle, Grace Rayner was awarded Girl swimmer of the Gala for an impressive first place in the U16 Girls 100m Freestyle and a second place in the 100m Breaststroke. The girls U16 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay Team of Grace Rayner, Lauren Windsor, Paige Wilding and Aimee Abrey also produced a first place finish. The Boy swimmer of the gala was jointly awarded to Joshua Gaines and Jack Christie who both swam brilliantly despite having to compete in a number of races due to a swimmer taking ill on the night.
The Division Two team performed very solidly all evening with 25 top three finishes – Swimmers of the gala went to Rachel Barber and Tom King. First places went to the Open Girls 4 x 25m Medley Relay Team of Molly McLouglin, Devon Prior, Rachel Barber and Ellen Fender, the same team also won the Open Girls 4 x 25m Freestyle relay.
Round Two of Herts Major takes Place on 8th Feburary with the Division One Team competing at Potters Bar and the Division Two Team competing at their home pool at Hemel Hempstead.