Once again, Hemel Hempstead Swimming Club faced tough competition in the second round of the National League held at Hatfield this weekend. They took on some of the region’s top clubs in a battle to maintain their place in the first Division.
The first top three placing of the evening came in the boys’ 15/u freestyle relay with Tom Osborn, Jamie Keevill, Harrison Robb and Paul Mackie in fighting form. The foursome matched this achievement later on with a third in the medley relay.
Ben Page, butterfly specialist, claimed the highest place of the evening by coming second in the 11/u 50m butterfly.
Lois Moore, 13/u, came third in the 100m freestyle with Paul Mackie adding to his relay successes with a third in the individual 15/u 100m freestyle. Paul Cox broke his own personal record to come third in the Open 100m breaststroke.
There were 26 PBs in all. Jamie Keevill claimed three of these. Freya Mayhew, Chloe Worrell, Harrison Robb, Tom Sherriff, Paul Cox, Conrad Beir-Allen and sister Yasmin, all claimed two each.
Single PBs went to Suzanne Pitts, Devon Prior, Adam Daniell, Rob Hill, Frederick Woodcock, Emma Gower, Katie McClaren, Tom Osborn and Paul Mackie.
In a close fight, Hemel Hempstead managed to claw back some valuable points towards the end of the evening to finish in sixth place overall.
Competing for Hatfield on the night was Richard Charlesworth, GB Olympic swimmer at Beijing, who started off his career at Hemel Hempstead SC and who came to visit his old club the following day.