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SIX Penguins nicked for speeding at Griffin B Gala (27th March)

Coach, Carol Melvin, was full of praise for the 23 young Harlow Penguins who swam enthusiastically at tonights B grade gala in Edmonton. Teams from Windsor, Tunbridge Wells, Griffin A and Griffin B swam against our swimmers in a lovely 8 lane 25m pool.

Our night started badly when Ria Melvin, John Reynolds and Hannah Calcutt were all disqualified for being too good and too fast in the 25m back (Ria and John) and 50m breast races respectively. B grade galas, like this one, are time limited to encourage swimmers to swim different strokes.

The whole evening was full of disqualifications. Because of swimmers pulling out at the last moment we were disqualified for swimming four races with overage swimmers. We were disqualified once for takeover, once because Senner got out of the pool after his race but before the referee said he could and a couple of times for incorrect stroke or kick. We had three more disqualifications because Ria, Senner and Natalie were all too good and too fast in the butterfly (Ria and Senner) and freestyle races!!!

The whole team were very well behaved and seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. Harlow Penguins have an extremely bright future ahead of themselves. Special mention to the individual winners (those who did not get dqed!!) who were: Antonia (u14 50m free), Jamie (u11 50m free) and Natalie (u10 25m breast). Special mention also to the following swimmers who, because of circumstances,  swam 5 or more races (we should have had 32 swimmers for this gala but only had 23). Holly Sims, Ria Melvin, Natalie Ling, Denva Keeble Bradford, Robyn Thompson and Rhianne Regan.

Special thanks to Eric (Starter), Theresa (Girls Team manager), Carol (Coach) and Guy (ugly half of timekeepers) for giving up their time to make sure this gala went ahead.

All times, splits and positions can be found here