The third and final round of the 2023 National Arena Swimming League saw the BSSC team having to dig deep and fight hard on every race, but a strong second place finish on the night resulted in them coming second overall in the league and gaining promotion to the Premier Division!
Round 3 was contested at the home of league leaders Enfield Swim Squad, and the BSSC team (aged 10-28) were racing against clubs from the top half of the league (Enfield, Leander, Saxon Crown, Lindslade, Team Luton and Potters Bar swimming clubs) across multiple individual events and relays. Many teams were still mathematically in the running for promotion, so every event was a battle between the swimmers to gain vital points for their club and out touching a rival club could make all the difference. The BSSC team put on a great performance on the night, securing top 3 finishes in an outstanding 19 of the 34 individual events and 10 of the 17 relays resulting in a superb second place with 228 gala points, 35 points behind winners Enfield, 11 points ahead of third place Saxon Crown and 21 points ahead of fourth place Leander.
There were fewer podium topping moments, but so many outstanding swims from the team and by the end of the night the team were hoarse from cheering so loudly, though they still managed to find enough voice to sing in the coach all the way home! Thanks to all who supported the team on the night, in particular Coach Joe Collins, Team Managers Danielle Reilly, Kat Gore & Sarah Cass and officials Claire Fields & Paul Davenport.
The swimmers getting to the top of the podium were:
- 13/Under: Molly Greatbatch 100m Breaststroke & 100m Backstroke
- 15/Under: Ella Greatbatch 100m Breaststroke
- 16/Over: Lucy Wheeler 100m Freestyle, Niamh James 100m Backstroke
The swimmers who gave their all and achieved personal best times in their races were:
- 9-11 Yrs: Adeline Chan 50m Freestyle (33.57) and 50m Breaststroke (47.95)
- 13/Under: Eddy Cheng 100m Breaststroke (1:34.12), Lois Fields 100m Butterfly (1:21.04), Molly Greatbatch 100m Breaststroke (1:19.42), Samuel Bird 100m Backstroke (1:20.42)
The three victorious relay teams were:
- Open/Male 15/u Yrs 4x50m Freestyle: Brandon Macdonald-Williams, Beau Reilly, Robert Gor, Dylan Davenport
- Female Open 4x50m Freestyle: Felice Chan, Niamh James, Lucy Wheeler, Laura Burgess
- Female Open 4x50m Medley: Niamh James, Lauren Gore, Lucy Wheeler, Laura Burgess
Full Round 3 Squad:
9-11 Yrs: Guy Spearman-Baines, Harrison Dodwell, Kenny Millsom, Noah Conroy, Adeline Chan, Elspeth Lowe, Isabella Crotty, Olivia Hawker, Yana Patel
13/Under: Eddy Cheng, Elliot Hall, Samuel Bird, Zackary Haslett Fossey, Millie Cass, Lois Fields, Meha Patel, Molly Greatbatch
15/Under: Beau Reilly, Brandon Macdonald-Williams, Dylan Davenport, Robert Gor, Bobbie Macdonald-Williams, Ella Greatbatch, Erin Matthews, Felice Chan, Freya Hadnutt
16/Over: Callum Davis, Daniel Chada, Jacob Hayes, Jake Lloyd, Laura Burgess, Lauren Gore, Lucy Wheeler, Niamh James
