Novice Swimmers enjoy a taste of competition / Maxwell Open Meet

 

Several young swimmers, who have been attending Crusaders “Learn To Swim” classes and stroke development sessions enjoyed their first taste of competition in a Club gala at Tiddenfoot this  weekend.  For some, it was also their first experience of swimming in the “big pool” at Tiddenfoot and despite some initial nerves,all the swimmers were pleased to show off their skills to proud friends and family on the balcony. 87 swimmers took part and between them, achieved an incredible 71personal bests in the 12.5m (one width) and 25m events.

 

Junior Coach Barry Kent said “Crusaders organise a number of internal “Splash Galas” throughout the year and they are always popular. It’s a chance for the young and less experienced swimmers to have a go and to build up confidence before they compete against other Clubs. They enjoy racing with, and against, their team mates and a points system rewards swimmers who do well against their personal bests, as well as those who come first. I would also like to thank all the helpers and congratulate the fourteen swimmers who competed for the first time ever in a  25 metre event.”

 

The medal winners in their respective age categories were:

 

12.5m Combined Freestyle and Backstroke:

Age 6: Daisy Edwards (gold),

Age 7: Amber Hill (gold), Ben Gilroy (gold), Thomas Gallacher (silver), Daniel Chandler (bronze) 

Age 8: Fiona Pickup (gold), Seth Taylor (gold), Mary-Jane Dore (silver), Ross Daggett (silver), Courtney Barron (bronze), Callum Rhead (silver)

Age 9: Ella Fox (gold), Lewis Young (gold), Simran Sohi (silver), Karl Waydick (silver), Jakle Halsall-Thomson (bronze)

Age 10: Molly Brunton (gold), Bethany Baxter (silver).

 

25m Combined Freestyle and Backstroke:

Age 7: Evie Gilmour (gold), Bailey Danskin (gold), Max Pickering (silver)  

Age 8: Cody Whitbread (gold), Connie Woolhead (gold), Phillip Skinner (gold), Allissa Denniston (silver), Miles Drabwell (silver), Ryan Connew (silver), Keziah Gordon (bronze), Jordan Field (bronze)

Age 9: Jessica Edwards (gold), Jamie Hargreaves (gold), Amy Pepper (silver), Harry Charter (silver), Connor James (bronze)

Age 10: Lauren Avis (gold), Cameron Manley (gold), Lucie-Stella Franks (silver), James Glen (silver), Ellie Woolhead (bronze), Jamie McNeill (bronze)

Age 11: Bethan Roberts (gold), Christopher Gosbee (gold), Chloe Payne (silver), Sebastian Daggett (silver), Marcus Jacques (bronze)

Age 12: Adam Baker (gold)

Age 13: Phillip Gallacher (gold)

 

Anna Henderson, Tom Henderson, Alex Brown, Nic Brown and Owen Drabwell represented Crusaders at the Maxwell Open Meet this weekend and achieved a total of eighteen personal bests. Most successful swimmer was Anna Henderson who achieved a regional qualifying time in the 200m breast stroke and earned three bronze medals in 50 metre breast stroke, 100m back stroke and 200m breast stroke.

  

If you are interested in Crusaders Learn To Swim (age five and above), developing your swimming technique, competing in a novice gala or representing Crusaders in a League or local area competition, contact Bev on 752318 or visit the website www.linsladecrusaders.org