RTSC Gala Reports

Sunday 18th July - Borough of Waltham Forest End of Season Meet
Waltham Forest Track and Pool

Town's Junior squads wrapped up their season with some terrific swims at the BWF End of Season Meet. Amongst a massive Town entry of 49 swimmers were a good number of swimmers embarking on their first competitive venture. With the youngest medal category being 11 years and under there was little chance of our novice 9 and 10 year olds taking home prizes, but they gained some valuable experience that will stand them in good stead for next season.

Tommy Beardsell dominated the boys events in this age group, winning a medal in each of his six swims. His three gold medal swims came in the 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke and 50m Backstroke, but he also showed that he is learning to compete over the longer distances with a silver medal in the 200m Breaststroke and bronze medals in the 200m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle. Teammate Ben Davis surprised himself by winning the 50m Butterfly, but better application in training is producing better results and this was backed up with 3rd place finishes in the 50m Breaststroke, 4th in the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Freestyle and 5th place in the 200m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke. There was success too for Oliver Coles with a silver medal in the 200m Butterfly, a bronze in the 200m Individual Medley, 4th place in the 200m Freestyle and 6th in the 50m Breaststroke.

9 year old David Brooks did very well to pick up a bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly as well as coming 5th in the 200m Backstroke, whilst Jack Rice was another 9 year old competing well against older opposition and earning 4th place in the 200m Breaststroke, 5th place in the 50m Breaststroke and 6th place in the 50m Backstroke. 10 year olds Luke Harris and Jacob Smith also achieved top 6 finishes with Luke 4th in the 50m Butterfly and Jacob 5th in the 50m Backstroke.

The Girls 11 years and under category was equally competitive, but Erin Corney was again in impressive form with 1st place in the 50m Backstroke, 2nd in the 50m Butterfly, 3rd in the 200m Freestyle and 6th place finishes in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke. 10 year old Riva Siggins had an encouraging debut in Romford Town colours winning gold in the 50m Breaststroke and bronze in the 200m Breaststroke. Another 10 year old, Chloe Thompson, was 3rd in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke and 5th in the 200m Backstroke.

9 year old Georgia Milton wasn't distracted by the tough competition and swam well for 4th place in the 200m Backstroke and 5th place in the 200m Backstroke. Siobhan Conroy was another swimmer competing for Town for the first time and she did well to take 5th place in the 50m Breaststroke. There were some encourging swims from Yasmin Morris who earned a 6th place in the 50m Backstroke and there was also a good 6th place finish from Hannah Dearman-Tur in the 200m Backstroke. 9 year old Jess Ayling was celebrating her 9th birthday only a week ago, but here, in her first open meet, she was celebrating two County Qualifying Times from fine swims in the 200m and 50m Breaststroke.

Another newcomer to the sport is 13 year old Ryan Ross and he once again demonstated his remarkable rate of improvement, earning his first ever medals with 3rd place in the 200m and 50m Breaststroke, 4th place in the 50m Butterfly and 6th in the 200m Individual Medley in the Boys 12/13 years age group.

In the 12/13 year old girls category Anne-Marie Smith won gold in the 50m Backstroke and 50m Breaststroke, silver in the 50m Freestyle and finished 4th in the 200m Breaststroke. Amy Cooper showed the potential she still has by winning the 50m Butterfly and placing 4th in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. Jordhanna Thompson capped her club debut with a good 3rd place swim in the 50m Butterfly.

Swimming in the Boys 14/15 category, 14 year old Tom Benson concluded his excellent season with a gold medal on his first attempt at 200m Butterfly, 3rd place in the 200m Individual Medley and 4th in the 200m Breaststroke. In the Girls 14/15 year group Charlotte Chuck, also 14, won gold in the 200m Breaststroke and bronze in the 50m Breaststroke and was 4th in the 200m Individual Medley, 5th in the 200m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke and 6th in the 200m Backstroke. Emma Cooper was 4th in the 50m Freestyle and 5th in the 200m Individual Medley.

Andrew Ward had a successful day and also picked up a bronze medal in the 50m Breaststroke and 5th place in the 50m Butterfly in the Boys 16 and over age group.

In her final competition before departing for University Gina Dickson picked up gold medals in the 200m Freestyle, 50m and 200m Backstroke, silver medals in the 200m and 50m Breaststroke and bronze in the 50m Freestyle in the 16 and over age group.

Well done to all those that swam. Next season promises to be even better as the training will be even harder!