Swimmers ‘Rush’ for Regional and County Qualifying times
Six Swimmers from the Isle of Wight attended the Rushmoor Royals level two meet in search of qualifying times for the South East Short Course Winter Championships and also for Hampshire County Championships in early 2017. There were six swimmers from Seaclose SC and one from who between them gained 10 medals and 16 new personal best performances at what was a very oversubscribed event.
Seaclose’s Abigail Lacey (13/14 yrs age group) gained three gold medals and two silver medals on her way to gaining 4 new Personal best performances from her 8 events. Abi’s new PB’s were 400m Individual Medley 5 min 10.27 sec, 100m Individual Medley 1 min 8.54 sec, 100m Breaststroke 1 min 14.85 sec and 200m Breaststroke 2 min 45.15 sec. This has given Abi a possible nine events at the South East Winter Championships. Also achieving four possible South East Winter Championship times was Megan King (15/16 years age group) who gained a silver and bronze medal over the weekend and three new personal best performances. Megans Personal best performances were 400m Freestyle 4 min 50.17 sec, 100m Individual Medley 1 min 11.66 sec and 50m Butterfly 31.02 secs.
George Hayward (9/10 years age group) was by far the busiest swimmer over the weekend competing in nine events and producing eight new personal best performances, the best being a 17 sec improvement in his 200m Backstroke event. George gained bronze medals in the 400m Freestyle event and the 50m Freestyle event both of which gave George consideration times for the Hampshire County Championships in 2017.
Just returning from injury was Alex Stewart (17 and over age group) who swam six events and gained a gold medal in the 400m Individual Medley event in a time of 5 min 6.97 sec. Alex has achieved four possible times for the South East Winter championships.
Another returning from illness was Ben Curliss who swam three events and produced a new personal best of 2 min 32.58 sec in the 200m Backstroke event.
Also competing for Seaclose were Lelayna Blacklock and Amber Backhouse, both in the 15/16 years age group and both were pleased with their efforts, Lelayna producing 5 min 5.90 sec in the 400m Freestyle event and Amber 38.21 sec in the 50m Breaststroke event.