RTSC Gala Reports

14th/15th June 2008 - London District Age Group Championships

The second weekend of London District Championships saw Romford swimmers emulating their efforts from the weekend before as several Titles were gained, Event Best Times achieved and National Qualifying Times made.

Saturday morning started with the 12 and 13 years girls competing in the 400 Individual Medley, as Elena Sheridan picked up a good silver medal and Bethany Hall took 5th spot in the 12 years age group, whilst Louise Harrington gained a very good 3rd place in the 13 years age group.

The Boys 200 metres Butterfly finals saw plenty of representation from Town swimmers, none more so that the 12 years age group final, as Sean Houlihan and Harry Coker took to the water. Sean took the race out, eagerly pursued by Harry in search of his first National Qualifying time. With 50 metres to go, Sean had the race under control with Harry in second spot, still within reach of his the qualifying time. Sean took 1st spot in a new personal best time, but with 10 metres to go a tiring Harry was just touched out, having to settle for 3rd place, just seven-tenths outside the qualifying mark.

Emerging talent Alfie Burr swam a terrific race in the final of the 13 years age group, as he reduced his personal best time by three seconds to gain very good silver medal. James Kidd lined up for the final of the 11 years 200 metres Butterfly and was just outside the medals having to settle for 4th place.

Ten-year-old Victoria Christmas continued her good form from the previous weekend. Qualifying as third fastest for the final, a powerful swim saw her gain a place as she took 2nd spot. Harriette Davis was in the final of the Girls 13 years 100 metres backstroke in which she finished 5th.

Following his earlier efforts Sean Houlihan was back in the water contesting the final of the 100 metres Breastroke. A very strong swim saw him swim to 1st place and an Event Best Time.

In the final of the Girls 11 years 200 metres Freestyle two Town swimmers lined up together as Emma Aston gained a good 4th place finish with Brock Whiston in 6th. Victoria Christmas gained 5th spot in the 10 years age group final.

Harriette Davis was back in the water for the 1500 metres event and her efforts were rewarded as the 13 year old gained a good 3rd place finish.

The final session of day one saw the team relay events being contested. Despite the long wait, Romford’s swimmers did themselves proud, as District debutant George Ellis, Sean Houlihan, Harry Coker and Joseph Stamp took the honours in winning the 4 x 50 Medley team in an Event Best Time and they were just beaten into 2nd spot in the 4 x 50 Freestyle relay.

There was a top 6th finish for the girl’s team too, as Bethaney Hall, Brock Whiston, Elena Sheridan and Emma Aston gained a good 5th spot in their Medley relay.

The final day of this year’s District Championships opened up with the Boys 12-14 years 400 Individual Medley. Twelve-year-old Sean Houlihan was soon at it again, as a personal best time helped him gain 1st place in another Event Best Time. Harry Coker took a top six position in this age group too with a 5th place finish.

Alfie Burr was in amongst the medals again with a strong swim in the 13 years age group in which he gained 3rd spot.

It was 12 year old Elena Sheridan’s turn to show off her skills next as she competed in the final of her favourite 200 metres Butterfly. In what seemed an effortless display, Elena swam to 1st place by almost 25 metres beating the previous Event Record by almost four seconds.

Louise Harrington was next in the water, competing in the 13 years age group, where a personal best time gained her a very good 2nd spot.

Sean Houlihan and Joseph Stamp contested the same final as the two went head to head in the 12 years 100 metres Backstroke. It was Sean who came out on top, taking 1st place with Joe having to settle for 4th spot.

Bethaney Hall and Elena Sheridan made it another pair of Town swimmers contesting the same final, as the pair swam in the 12 years 100 metres Breastroke. Bethaney gained 3rd place with Elena 5th. Brock Whiston was in the final of the 11 years 100 metres Breastroke in which she took 4th place.

11-year-old Sam Bishop made his first final of this year’s Championships as he was 6th in the 200 metres Freestyle.

Romford had several swimmers competing In the 800 metres Freestyle with 11 years old Emma Aston doing herself proud with a very good 2nd place finish. There was another medal for 13-year-old Harriette Davis as a battling display saw her gain 3rd place with Louise Harrington 4th. There was also 4th place finishes for Alfie Burr in the Boys 13 years age group and Joe Stamp in the 12 years age group competition.

In the final session of the day Sean Houlihan finished his successful Championships off when just narrowly being beaten into 2nd place, but gaining another National Qualifying time (his tenth of this season's campaign) in the 200m Freestyle.

11 years old Brock Whiston saved her best to last with a super swim in the 400 metres Individual Medley. Buoyed by her swim the weekend before in the shorter 200 metre distance in which she gained a National Time, Brock was eager to do likewise in the longer event. Placed second after the Butterfly and Backstroke legs, a very strong Breastroke leg saw her ease into the lead and maintain this to take 1st place by over five seconds and achieve her third National Qualifying Time of the season.

In the overall top boys and girls categories the following finished in the Top Six:

10 Years Girls:

5th Victoria Christmas

11 Years Girls:

2nd Brock Whiston

12 Years Girls:

2nd Elena Sheridan

5th Bethaney Hall

12 Years Boys:

1st Sean Houlihan

2nd Joe Stamp

Well done to all those that competed at these Championships. Those consistently training hard and doing the appropriate amount of sessions were rewarded for their efforts.

Kevin Engstrom