Hemel Hempstead SC got off to a flying start in the first round of the Herts Major League.
The Blue team, competing in the top division, put in 32 PBs at their home pool. Paige Wilding led the way with two victories in the u12 50m backstroke and, only a few races later, the 50m breaststroke. She was joined by team-mates Rebecca Farrow, Freya Mayhew and Aimee Abrey to win both relay races, the medley in emphatic style by a half a length, Farrow scoring two PBs.
Kyle Holmes brought home another individual win in the u12 50m breaststroke, also winning the medley relay with Peter Kennett, Thushira Kumerage and Conor Parker. Freddie Woodcock was the other first placed individual with a PB in his u14 100m backstroke.
Sam Piggott was busy all evening, kicking off with a PB in his u16 100m fly, followed shortly after by another PB in the 100m backstroke and a further two personal records set in the relays. Hannah Bagley scored 3 PBs as did Curtis Barnett. Meanwhile, Arthur Woodcock slipped under the 30 second barrier for the first time in his 50m freestyle relay.
Despite some illnesses plaguing the team, they finished a very encouraging 3rd place.
Over in Divison Two in Stevenage, the Red team saw individual victories for Lauren Windsor in the u12 25m backstroke, Emily Jelfs in the u12 25m freestyle and Suzanne Pitts in the u16 100m freestyle.
No less than five swimmers notched up a tally of three personal best records each. Adam Daniell claimed a PB in the u16 100m fly and 100m breaststroke individual races, along with a relay PB. Darcy Holmes PBd in the u14 100m freestyle plus both relays. Steffi Huntingford opened the evening with a PB in the Open 100m freestyle, followed by two further bests in the relays. Tom Worrell’s personal record came in the u12 25m backstroke and both relays. Finally, Gemma Brown, broke her record swimming in the Open 100m butterfly as well as both relay swims.
The team finished in fourth place.