After a gruelling mini bus trip, 13 members of the Swim Flintshire Elite Squad made their debut at the Welsh Schools and Welsh Winters Competition last weekend. After only 10 weeks of training in the new County Performance Programme, the results speak volumes for Head Coach Stewart Clamp.
The swimmers are in the middle of heavy training with the focus being on the Welsh Nationals and the British Championships, both held in March next year. The highlight of the weekend was Hope’s Tome Allen, 15, breaking both the 1500m and 800m freestyle Junior Boys Welsh Long Course Records and coming within hundredths of a second for both the 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly.
In the Welsh Schools gala, held last Friday, Charlotte Bryan, year 8 student from Mold Alun broke two records for years 7,8,and 9 in 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly.
The swimmers gave each other so much support and encouragement. In particular, lining the poolside to cheer on Tom for his record breaking swims. Tom, a member of the Welsh Youth Squad, still has another 18 months to better and set some more impressive Junior Records.
Of the 114 swims over the three days, the swimmers made 36 finals (No Finals in Schools) and achieved 25 personal bests. The overall medal haul for both the Welsh Schools and the Welsh Winters was 7 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze. There were also 7 Qualifying times for the British Championships and 10 qualifying times for the Age Group and Youth Nationals in July.
The Swim Flintshire Elite have really bonded and demonstrated excellent team spirit. Each and everyone of the talented swimmers is dedicated, hard working and a credit to the County.
The swimmers who went to Swansea were: -
Tom Allen of Buckley SC (15 yrs) – 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, 1500 free and 200 fly
Josh Clough of Holywell SC (17 yrs) – 100 free, 50 back, 200 back, 50 fly, 100 fly
Robin Wright of Holywell SC (16 yrs) – 50 back, 100 back, 200 back
Dan Davies of Flint SC (18 yrs) – 50 free, 100 free, 50 fly
Jamie Davies of Buckley SC (16 yrs) – 50 Fly, 100 fly
Lewis Smith of Holywell SC (13 yrs) – 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, 200 IM
Livvy Anderson of Holywell SC (14 yrs) – 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, 200 IM
Katie Agrippa of Flint SC (13 yrs) – 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 200 IM, 400 IM
Georgia Thomas of Holywell SC (15 yrs) – 50 breast, 100 breast, 200 breast
Charlotte Bryan of Buckley SC (12 yrs) – 100 back, 200 back, 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM, 400 IM
Abbey Moxley of Flint SC (13 yrs) – 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly, 100 back, 200 IM
Fiona Clarke of Buckley SC (14 yrs) – 50 free, 50 breast, 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM
Hayley Ellis of Buckley SC (13 yrs) – 50 free, 200 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, 100 fly, 200 IM
The next competition is the Dragon Meet, January 11th – 13th in Swansea, when both the Swim Flintshire Elite and the Youth Squads will be competing. Any companies wishing to sponsor the County programme please contact Stewart Clamp on 01352 717 188
