Hemel Hempstead SC’s two teams competed in the second round of the Herts Major League, the blue team at Stevenage, the white team at QE Boys School in Barnet.
The blue team had a tough night, with a number of girls having to swim multiple races to cover for unavoidable absences. Katie McLaren, Samantha Catchpole and Victoria Fisher swam no less than six races each, with Lois Moore competing in an heroic eight events
McLaren, 15, was one of a number of swimmers who scored two personal best times, in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Others to achieve two personal records were Paige Wilding, Hannah Bagley, Tom Osborn, Will Stokes, Louis Dunham and Harrison Rob
The team took two victories, one in the Open boys’ freestyle relay thanks to Paul Cox, Harrison Robb, Rob Hill and Paul Mackie, the other in the u16 boys’ freestyle relay featuring Harrison Robb again, joined by Tom Osborn, Will Stokes and Jamie Keevill
After a valiant fight and 23 new best times posted, the team finished in fourth place overall
The white team pulled off a very impressive 29 personal best times, with many improving on times that were only a month old. Jack Kempton had a magnificent evening, putting in no less than four PBs, whilst swimming up an age group in the individual Open 100 butterfly and the 100m backstroke and in two relay races
Ben Page was next highest PB scorer, with three best times, in the individual u14 100m backstroke and two relays.
Emily Jelfs make her PB count by taking a win in the u12 backstroke, as did Aimee Abrey in the u12 freestyle.
Another first place went to Tim Warr, returning after a broken ankle, in the u14 freestyle.
The u12 boys’ relay team of Sam Acors, Kyle Homles, Conor Parker and Josh Coulson notched up the other first place of the evening in the medley relay.
There were plenty of seconds and thirds throughout the evening and by putting in consistently strong performances, the team succeeded in gaining 3rd place overall.