Swim Squad Celebrates Second

Click here for Picture of Team

Last weekend saw the finale of this year’s Western Division National Swimming League with the third and final round of competition. Bridgwater Swimming Club, having gained a first and second place in the two preceding rounds, entered the final ranked fifth, facing some stiff competition from 8 teams. Needing to finish in the top 3 to gain promotion, the pressure was on, as the potential was there. All we had to do was deliver. The swimming club from Swindon (Sx3) had recently amalgamated 3 local teams to form one super-team, and we also faced Bournemouth B and undefeated Oddicombe, who had beaten us in the previous gala. The final was where it counted, though!

The Bridgwater swimmers and supporters, as usual, made the atmosphere electric with their vocal encouragement and enthusiasm, which really sets the club apart from the other teams. The great team ethic, led by team captains - and chief cheerleaders - Rachel Barr and Greg Kyd, means each and every swimmer has the whole squad behind them for their races.

Such positivity was to be reflected in the race results across the board. Jess Barham and Richard Hill got us off to a flying start, coming second and first respectively in the 100m Individual Medley. The early relay events produced club best times, which meant we were in third place after 10 events, already 2 positions better than our ranking going in. With two more first places from Alicia Symes in the girls 100m backstroke and Adam Parchment in the boys 100m backstroke, and solid swims from the rest of the team, we had closed the gap to 2^nd placed Bournemouth to just 1 point. An outstanding 1^st place from Ollie Willis in the boys 50m b/c, something we have become rather accustomed to, set the ball rolling, and in quick succession Bridgwater then produced 4 consecutive wins! Ollie was back in action to win the 50m fly, followed by Jess Barham in the girls 100m freestyle, Adam Parchment (having a busy day!) in the boys 100m freestyle and then Louise Evans in the ladies 100m breaststroke.

By now Bridgwater trailed SX3 but had passed Bournemouth, opening up an 11 point gap to them. Oddicombe were slipping further and further behind. Solid swimming and a first place from Alice Hector in the ladies 100m f/c helped the team standings, but after 43 events we were again trailing Bournemouth by a mere 2 points, with just the final relays to go.

But we had the dream-teams out in force! 3 more first places followed in the boys 13 & under freestyle relay, as well as the girls and boys 15 & under medley relay, meant we had asked the questions and Bournemouth simply had no answers. Solid positioning in the 2 remaining relays meant we finished behind SX3, but 6 points in front of Bournemouth, and in 2^nd place, meaning promotion to Division 2. For the first time ever we are a strong enough team to remain there.

With 13 first places, a further 11 podium positions and 29 personal best times, and every swimmer giving no less than 100%, it is a well deserved outcome, building on the early-season Cotswold League victory. Special mention should go to Head Coach Mark Rawle, who has taken the club from strength to strength since his appointment in the New Year.

His dedication to the club has ensured more water time, gym sessions and physio support being put in place, and swimmers have learned to be professional in their approach, and work hard. The club, and the individual swimmers themselves, can now look forward to reaping the rewards in the future. Thanks also to the committee who continue to ensure the club runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Division 3 final results – Sx3 – 323 points, Bridgwater - 266, Bournemouth Dolphins B - 260, Oddicombe - 208, Tavistock - 203, Wells and Shepton Mallet - 203, Carms B - 167, Torfaen B - 163

Bridgwater were represented by the following swimmers:

Girls 11 and under: Bethany Newton, Mia Borthwick, Hannah Gosling, Lauren Dodden, Chloe Edrich,

Girls 13 and under: Hannah Symes, Helena Taylor, Laura Kyd, Sam Young

Girls 15 and Under: Jess Barham, Alicia Symes, Lucy Tanner,

Girls Open: Rachael Barr, Alice Hector, Louise Evans

Boys 11 and Under: Tom Bryan, Alex Carthew, Jordan Cheffey, Tom Fournier, Jack Vearncombe,

Boys 13 and Under: Adam Carthew, Charlie Cooksley, Sean Fletcher, Oliver Willis,

Boys 15 and Under: Matthew Chapman, Scott Gibbs, Adam Parchment, Luke Parchment, Lawrence Taylor

Boys Open: Richard Hill, Greg Kyd, Joe Seal

Anyone interested in joining Bridgwater Swimming Club should visit the website at www.bridgwaterswim.co.uk