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National Long Course bagcat finals - August 2004

Debutants Kaz Melvin and Mark St Clare joined Louis George competing at this years National Bagcat finals. The 50m Pool at Sheffield was built in the 1980s for the International Youth Games held in the same decade. It is an excellent sporting site which not only includes a 10 lane 50m pool but also an 8 lane 25m swim down pool which is also used for 10m diving. There are fantastic spectator galleries, an excellent cafe (plus bar!!!), fun pool for families and the usual fitness machines for those who have more time than what's good for them!!

Along with Kaz, Mark and Louis a traveling band of Penguin supporters including Louise Kendall, Cydney Newman, Ria Melvin, Carol, Gill, Steve George and myself accompanied coach Alan Mitchell to cheer our swimmers on. We all stayed in minus 1 star accommodation at Sheffield University some 5 miles away from the pool.

 Swimmers results including Louis George outrageous suspension can be found below:-

Kaz Melvin
200m breaststroke        28th                    2.52:50
200m backstroke             8th (heats)       2.28:57
200M BACKSTROKE    8TH (FINAL)    2.29:48
100m backstroke            9th (heats)        1.10:37
100m BACKSTROKE    8TH (FINAL)    1.09:92
200m freestyle                54th                    2.22:20

Kaz 's first swims at the National finals will certainly be rememberable. She made two finals and as such is ranked 8th in the Country both in the 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke disciplines.

Mark St Clare
100m freestyle                46th                    59.48

Mark swam extremely well in only his 5th or 6th time in a 50m pool. He was just a few hundredths away from his personal best but has got the taste to come back again next year.

Louis George
200m backstroke          11th                 2.23:82

Louis was disgracefully suspended from the National Finals, and Club Coach Alan Mitchell fined £50, for Louis not attending the 200m backstroke final even though he was 11th fastest (and hence 1st reserve).  Whilst waiting the allotted 30 minutes after the heats had finished to see if any finalists had pulled out we all made away back to our accommodation unaware that Louis was indeed required. The following morning a heated debate saw Louis suspended from the 100m backstroke heats where he is ranked top 10 in the country and an outraged Alan Mitchell was fined £50. Whilst we were there at least 8 other swimmers were suspended from all swims due to similar situations. Louis will bounce back as he is one of this countries best backstroke swimmers!!

 Congratulations to all our National BAGCAT competitors