On the weekend of 6/7 April 34 BSSC swimmers took part in the Robin Deal Memorial Meet at Sudbury, Suffolk. This was a chance for the 9-10-year olds to experience competitive swimming whilst the older swimmers were chasing Regional Qualifying times. Some of these swimmers are in the pool up to 8 times a week and their dedication paid off with some outstanding times, lots of PBs and plenty of medals.
Nineteen swimmers achieved 62 medals between them, with the 9 year olds being the most successful with 21 medals – Charles German (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze), Dylan Davenport (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze), Ethan David-Tostevin (3 Silver, 1 Bronze) and Zoe Opiyo (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze).
Other medallists were: 10 yrs. Freya Hadnutt (1 Bronze), Hannah Robinson (1 Gold, 2 Silver), Leo Suo-Saunders (1 Silver, 4 Bronze); 11 yrs. George Grimwood (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze), Imogen Tang (1 Silver), Kirsty Neill (5 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze), Olivia Thomas-Austin (1 Bronze); 12 yrs. Alice Longman (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze), Amy Pinckney (1 Bronze), Grace Mason (2 Silver, 2 Bronze), Jakey Hayes (1 Bronze), Jessie Fields (1 Silver), Lauren Gore (2 Gold, 2 Silver); 13 yrs. Markus Webb (1 Silver); 15/16 yrs. James Gor (1 Bronze).
So many swimmers achieved PBs, but some were large enough that they definitely need a special mention (some have been rounded!): Charles (50m Fly 4 sec, 100m IM 14 sec), Dylan (50m Fly 4.5s), Zoe (100m Free 10s, 100m Breast 7.5s), Freya Hadnutt (50m Back 6.5s, 50m Fly 9.5s), Hannah (100m Breast 8s, 200m Breast 34.5s, 200m Free 7s), Beau Reilly (200m Free 20.5s), Jakey Hayes (200m Back 10s, 200m IM 14s), Kirsty Neill (200m Breast 13.5s), Emma Fields (100m Free 5s, 200m Free 5.5s), Grace (100m Back 11s, 10m Free 6s, 200m Back 17s, 200m IM 5.5s, 400m Free 25s), Jasmine Petit (100m IM 5.5s, 200m Breast 17s, 200m Free 9.5s) and Leanne Suo-Saunders (100m Breast 6s, 200m Free 6.5s).
Well done to all swimmers and congratulations to Alice Longman and Kirsty Neill for achieving new East Region qualification times and Grace Mason for reconfirming her 100m Fly regional time – good luck for the Swim England East Region Long Course Championships in May!
