31 largely younger Hemel swimmers participated in the second long course competition held at the new Wycombe pool since it was opened in January. Between them they won 9 golds and 17 silver and bronzes, and set 18 new long course age group records. 67 of the 105 entries were first time swims in a 50m pool, which will stand those swimmers in good stead for the future, and nearly half the times when converted were equivalent to short course PBs.
Holly Robinson was on top form winning golds in the 50 & 100 back and 50 & 100 breast alongside a silver and bronze in the 50 free and 100 free. She also set new club long course age group records in the 50 free and 50 & 100 breast
Grace Cawley had an outstanding meet winning golds in the 50 breast and 100 fly and setting new age group long course club records in the 100 free, 100 back, 50 breast, 50 fy and 100 fly.
Sam Gaines also had an excellent meet, winning gold in the 50 & 100 fly and silver in the 50 and 100 breast, setting new club records in all four events. Frustratingly he also achieved a regional qualifying time in the 50 fly, just 3 weeks after the qualifying window closed.
Nathan Whiting set two new club records in the 50 free and 50 back alongside winning bronzes in the 50 back and 100 breast. Henry Newbury-Kemp also swam faster than the previous records in the 50 free and back – just not quite as fast as Nathan! – but made up for it by setting a new club record in the 50 breast in which he also won silver. Dylan Kennell and Freya Beresford both set new club records in the 50 fly whilst Elinor Ferguson set a new club record in the 50 breast. Last but by no means least, Millie Anderton won gold in the 100 back.
Particular thanks to the older swimmers who provided such good role models to their younger colleagues, and to Sarah Young, Tracey Stratford, George Cawley and Tony Gaines who provided poolside support (and in Tony’s case also swam!).