After a covid enforced break of three years, the prestigious British Summer Championships returned this August to provide a key end-of-season competition opportunity for home nation athletes. It was held from 22nd-28th July at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, and the top 24 swimmers in Britain in each event and age group were invited to compete.
BSSC had five local swimmers invited for the 2022 Championships: Ella Greatbatch (14 yrs), Kirsty Neill (15 yrs), Lauren Gore (16 yrs), Jago Derrington (16 yrs) and Niamh James (19 yrs/Over). New BSSC member Laura Burgess (16 yrs) represented her old club, whilst two swimmers from Team Bonn in Germany who were born and taught to swim in Bishop’s Stortford, Toby and William Godsell (15 & 17 yrs), swam under the BSSC umbrella.
Competing against the best in Britain was a fantastic as well as nerve racking experience for all the swimmers, with only Niamh James having previously been invited to a summer championships, but they all represented themselves and the club superbly.
Kirsty Neill (BSSC) secured a superb silver medal in the 15 years 200m Breaststroke in a BSSC club record beating time, in a thrilling race that had everyone on the edge of their seats (yet again!). She had qualified for the final in a new personal best time and in the final was stroke for stroke with the swimmer she beat at the Scottish Nationals back in April, until the last wall when she was just out touched for the gold. She also finalled in the 100m Breaststroke, coming 10th.
Niamh James (BSSC), competing in the 19 years and above category, put in a strong personal best performance to come 9th in the 200m Backstroke final.
Toby Godsell (Team Bonn) also had a great championships, taking silver in the 50m/100m Backstroke and 200m IM finals and bronze in the 200m Backstroke final. Will Godsell (Team Bonn) finalled in every event he entered coming 5th in 50m Breaststroke, 6th in 100m Breaststroke, 7th in 200m IM and 8th in 200m Breaststroke.
Huge congratulations should go to all the swimmers for their performances and also to BSSC head coach Benoit Grattepanche and former BSSC coach Mathieu Leroy for their support and guidance.
Full Results:
- Ella Greatbatch: 12th 50m Breaststroke
- Jago Derrington: 21st 200m Backstroke
- Kirsty Neill: Silver 200m Breaststroke; 10th 100m Breaststroke; 13th 50m Breaststroke
- Lauren Gore: 24th 50m Breaststroke
- Niamh James: 9th 200m Backstroke; 12th 100m Backstroke
- Laura Burgess (N&D PP SC): 13th 50m Freestyle
- Toby Godsell: Silver 50m/100m Backstroke & 200m IM; Bronze 200m Backstroke; 11th 50m Breaststroke; 12th 100m Butterfly; 15th 50m Butterfly
- William Godsell: 5th 50m Breaststroke; 6th 100m Breaststroke; 7th 200m IM; 8th 200m Breaststroke
