HPSC National Championships report 2006
Penguins have 2 finalists at National Championships
During July and August Harlow Penguins Swimming Club took a total of 6 swimmers to the National Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Each swimmer had achieved the tough qualifying times set during the season to compete against other top swimmers in the country at this prestigious event.
The 1st week of competing began with the younger swimmers competing in the British Age Group Category.
This saw Senner Koskocan age 11 compete in 100m and 200m Individual Medley and 100m and 200m Breaststroke. After competing in the heats Senner achieved a place in the Finals of the 100m and 200m Breaststroke and gained 8th and 7th place respectively with a time of 1.27.17 and 3.04.32, achieving a personal best in each.
Next saw Annie Groome aged 12, who had been out of training for almost a month before due to illness, competing in 100m backstroke. She achieved an impressive 16th place nationally in a time of 1.12.92.
The following week saw the beginning of the Youth Championships.
Kaz Melvin achieved success by reaching the final in the 200m backstroke and gained 6th place in 2.23.36. She also came 12th in 100m backstroke with a time of 1.07.97. Kaz also competed in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley.
Other swimmers to represent the Penguins the National Championships were:
Louis George aged 15, competed in the 100m Backstroke
Mark St. Clare 16 competed in 100m and 200m Backstroke and 100m and 200m Freestyle.
Karl Batorski 18, swam in all competitive strokes and disciplines but unfortunately due to ill health did not achieve a place in a final as in previous years.
Alan Mitchell, Head Swimming Coach was very pleased with his swimmers and concluded that it was a great achievement for the Harlow Penguins Swimming Club as only 2% of swimmers are fast enough to compete at National Level.