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National Speedo Round 2 (12th November)
Harlow Penguins were certainly up against the "big boys" last night when Hatfield (who won 33 of the 50 races), Camden, Romford and RTW Monson brought extremely strong squads to compete in round 2 of the London National Speedo gala. Harlow came top of the smaller squads beating Hemel Hempstead, Anaconda and Colchester to come 5th (as we had hoped) in this 8 team league match.
Harlow Penguins hosted the gala at the spacious Enfield pool in Southbury Road. Apart from a few teething problems the gala was well run and almost finished in the two hour allotted time as laid down by a frustrated would be traffic warden!
Hatfield dominated the gala from start but its squad contained top national swimmers including those who recently competed in Europe. Harlow Penguins welcomed back Sam Blunt (currently studying and swimming for Loughborough and now old man at 22!) and Ian Edmunds who was making his debut competitive swim for us (accomplished Senior swimmer who joined Penguins from Epping in the summer).
Of the 50 races we managed just two individual wins (well done to Kaz who won the 15/u 100m breast & Open 100m breast). We also achieved 7 second places (Sam Blunt Open 200IM & Open 100m back), Kaz (15\u 100 back), Karl (Open 100 fly), Louis (15\u 100 back) and a thrilling open 6x 50m free relay swam by Karl, Sam, Ian, Tom, Matt and Mark. For me two particular swims to mention were Louise Kendall who swimming in the 100m 15\u fly was lying in fourth place 10 metres from the end but through pure determination out touched her competitors and came in second. Also special mention to Craig Warwick who in a very tough race held off three other competitors to come 5th and almost out touched the swimmer who came 4th. Craig has guaranteed the fly event in the final round.
Harlow Penguins also secured six 3rds, two 4ths, ten 5ths, four 6ths, four 7ths and fourteen last places!! We also had our first dq in over 18 months!
Full set of results can be found here. Lesley will update the personal database shortly.
Congratulations to all the Harlow Penguins for confirming our Division 1 status for the fifth year running. Old boy Sam Blunt even stated on poolside how in prior years we were relegated and promoted on a regular basis!!
Finally thank you to the following people for hosting the gala; Mary, Jan and Victoria's mum (taking entrance and raffle monies), Dean and Gill (who never saw a single race as they were the official recorders), Paul (always calm and collected when announcing!), Eric (official), Carol (girls team manager), Ken (splits and relay specialist), Alan (Chief Coach) and Hayley (timekeeper)
*** For us to match last seasons total points tally of 18 we need to come 3rd in the final league match in December!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on you Penguins!!