Eight BSSC swimmers, assistant head coach Joe Collins and volunteer Team Managers Kat Gore, Lorraine Hayes and Tony Hadnutt recently headed south to the K2 50m pool in Crawley for Romford Town Swimming Club’s Last Chance National Qualifier Meet. The clue was most definitely in the title, as this long course meet was held on the final weekend within the qualifying window for the Aquatics GB and Swim England Summer Meets. Only the top swimmers in the country get invited to the National Summer Meets and this open meet was one of only four running in England offering final qualification chances so the pressure was high, as were the temperatures!
Despite sweltering poolside, the swimmers performed superbly in the water, with eight personal bests and many other seasons bests being recorded. Twelve medals were secured (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze) and three swimmers increased the chance of them being invited to the national summer meets. Emma Fields broke her own open age group 100m butterfly club record, dropping her time to 1:04.18, Jakey Hayes got a personal best in the 200m backstroke (2:15.13) and Lauren Gore lowered her seasons best 50m breaststroke time (35.38). Laura Burgess and Emma Fields came close to their 50m freestyle and butterfly times that had already put them on the potential invite list, but did not improve them.
- Gold: Callum Davis (50m Butterfly), Emma Fields (50m & 100m Butterfly), Jakey Hayes (200m Backstroke), Lauren Gore (100m Breaststroke), Miriam Moukdad (400m Freestyle)
- Silver: Callum Davis (100m Butterfly), Freya Hadnutt (50m Freestyle), Lauren Gore (50m Breaststroke)
- Bronze: Laura Burgess (50m Freestyle), Jakey Hayes (50m Backstroke), Lauren Gore (200m Breaststroke)
Congratulations to all the swimmers on their achievements and keep an eye out for upcoming news on National Summer meet invitations!
We had a unique view from behind the blocks for some of the 50m races and couldn’t resist taking some photos with an aspect we don’t normally have.
Full list of competitors:
- 15 yrs: Zoe Opiyo
- 16 yrs: Freya Hadnutt
- 17 yrs: Jakey Hayes
- 18/Over: Callum Davis, Emma Fields, Laura Burgess, Lauren Gore, Miriam Moukdad
