James and Gemma - champion performances
The second gala of the Shropshire Age Group Championships saw two up and coming ten year old swimmers make the 'Champion' grade. James Morris had already achieved a regional qualifying time but focussed on his 200m backstroke to good effect, a further 6 sec reduction with his time of 2.59.09 and a gold medal for good measure. Gemma Almond continued her busy programme pacing her 400m freestyle swim to perfection, the time of 5.46.48 a PB by a mile, 15 secs ahead of the rest of the field. Another huge PB and Silver medal followed in the 200m breaststroke (3.27.82).
There were three other winning performances, all three swims regional QTs: Oliver Henry (13) destroyed the field over 200m backstroke, his time of 2.33.48 clipping 3 secs off his PB. Imogen Griffiths (16) continued to be unbeatable over 100m freestyle (1.03.69) and Andrew Meredith (17) imposed his superiority at 200m backstroke (2.12.74).
Sophie Whittingham (11) collected two silver medals over 100m freestyle (1.10.87) and 200m breaststroke (3.12.76). Emily Marrs (15) continued her 'ever faster' form with freestyle picking up bronze medals and PBs at 100m (1.05.59) and 400m (5.02.59). There were silver medal performances from Kate Almond (14) in the 400m freestyle (5.00.43) and Josh Hatton (15) in the 200m breaststroke (2.31.77). Becky Ellis (12), Philippa Hatton (12) and Perry Russon (15) all swam well for bronze, each collecting PB times as well.
Some fine swims went unrewarded by medals but every one of them PB's and a testimony to the strength in depth throughout the club. The gruelling 400m freestyle saw big improvements by up to 22 secs for Jessica Waters (10) 6.45.26, Kathryn McNally (12) 5.35.50 and Francesca Baguley (13) 5.53.46. The 100m distance included PB swims for Lois Davis (10) 1.25.92, Lottie Rapson 1.29.62, Emma Garbett (12) 1.32.29, Becky Crawford (12) 1.20.47, Sarah Morris (13) 1.20.13, Sarah Rogers (13) 1.13.18 and Becky McQueen-Skene (14) 1.11.33.
The boys 200m backstroke saw Chris Barber (12) improve by 24 secs (2.54.13) and Jack Rogers (11) was on form with 3.23.21.
A belated but big congratulations go to Howard Stringer (10) the latest recipient of a ticket to the Regional Championships at Coventry for his fine swim over 200m breaststroke in 3.33.20 the previous day.