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Junior Speedo Round 1 (3rd April 2005)
A very happy and cheerful squad of Junior Penguins confidently made the 40 mile journey to Hockley (near Southend) to swim the first round of this seasons Junior Speedo league against a strong team from Kingston Royals, Ruislip & Northwood, Rochford, Hitchin and Feltham Stingrays.
Our team was weakened earlier in the day with two late withdrawals but nevertheless the reminder of the squad were lead by Captains for the day Jenna Batorski and Ben Want. A very noisy team of supporters, sitting and standing uncomfortably in the "viewing" area, enjoyed a late afternoon of 49 swims in a cramped fairly newish 8x 25m lane pool in Rochford. Whilst it was hot outside the pool inside was like a sauna!
The six teams competed in an excellent friendly manner with first and second places at a premium. Nevertheless we deservedly managed 9 overall wins with 8 runner up spots. In the first two races Natalie Ling (2nd) and Luke Marioni (1st) gave us 11 points out of 12 in the girls and boys under 10 yrs 50m freestyle races. Soon after Chris Stevens, Senner Koskocan, Oliver Taffs and John Reynolds recorded a 2nd place in the 11 and under 4 x25m medley relay.
Ria Melvin and Senner followed this up by each clinching first places in the respective 10 yrs 50m breaststroke races. A short time later the winning quartet of boys, Oliver Taffs, Chris Stevens, Ryan Wolfe and Luke Marioni, won the 11 and under 4x 25m freestyle relay.
Girls Captain Jenna secured second place in the 12 & under 50m fly BUT outdid this with a first place in the 12 & under 50m breaststroke race. Chris Stevens followed this up with first place in a very impressive 50m backstroke in the 11 & under age group.
Our 10yrs freestyle relay teams made up of Natalie Ling, Danielle Williamson, Victoria Malcolm and Ria Melvin AND Luke Marioni, Ryan Wolfe, Senner Koskocan and Ellis Foot were outstanding with the girls getting a second place and the boys recording a first place.
Debutant swimmer Hannah Gladish had the result of the evening where at just 9 years old she secured 2nd place in the 25m fly in a superb time of 22.37 seconds. Ryan Wolfe continued his excellent swimming season by claiming 2nd in the boys 10 yrs 50m back with John Reynolds achieving an excellent 2nd in the 10yrs 25m fly (John won the 9yrs 25m fly but I had to declare him as overage so voiding his win).
Senner secured Harlow Penguins last win of the evening in the 11 and under 50m breast with Oliver Taffs securing our last second place in the 11 and under 50m free.
We had 8 debut swimmers who are all a credit to our club. Well done Rosie Baker, Amelia Dimmock, Hannah Gladish, Sadie Clifton, Matthew Walton, Victoria Malcolm, Sophie Dennis and Ashley Mitchell. Our other swimmers who have not been mentioned so far but ALL swam brilliantly were Holly Sims, Denva Keeble-Bradford, Emily Sutton and Harry Newman.
Special mention must be made to Sadie (and Dad Luke) who had a new baby brother or sister born on the day of the gala BUT still chose to come and swim with the Mighty Penguins - thank you!!
Other people to thank must go to Ken Burley (our referee), Carol (Coach), Emily Reynolds (girls team manager), Hayley (timekeeper) and Dean (splits).
Lesley will update the personal database in due course and in
this instance please also update the 25m splits as this is extremely useful
for future junior speedo team selection. The individual results, times and
positions can be found >>>>>>>
Final positions 1st Kingston Royals (249 pts), 2nd Ruislip and Northwood (209 pts), 3rd Mighty Harlow Penguins (169 pts), 4th Rochford (142 pts), 5th Hitchin (125 pts) and 6th Feltham (98 pts). This round last season we came 3rd with 178 pts