Runnymede Relay Teams Triumph at Essex County Championships

Runnymede Swimming Club's relay teams had a tremendous weekend of successes at the Essex County Championships. The Championships for Senior and Junior swimmers also included the Relay Championships for 9-12 year olds, and it was these team events where Runnymede produced one of their most impressive displays for many years. Out of 8 Relay events held over the weekend Runnymede reached an outstanding 6 from 8 finals, with the 'A' teams achieving top 10 finishes in every event and the 'B' teams finishing in the top half of the results in almost all events, showing the depth of Runnymede's young squad.

Top honours went to the Girls 11/12 year squad, with the 'A' teams dominating their age group in both heats and finals. The 4x50m Medley Relay team of Sarah Wright, Georgie Hunt Charlotte Davis and Verity Goodey lead form the start, and were never threatened to take the Gold Medal in their Final. The addition of Charlie Beale to the 'A' team, along with Charlotte Davis, Georgie Hunt and Verity Goodey brought another outstanding Gold medal winning performance in the Heats and Finals of the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. In the same age group, Runnymede's 'B' team of Rebekah Drake, Felicity Clarke, Laura Rixson and Sarah Wright also put in a creditable swim, with an overall 14^th position in the Freestyle relay.

Some of the closest races of the County Championship involved the Boys 9/10 year Relay teams. Runnymede's 'A' squad of Alex Delicata, George Smith, Jonathon Ellis and newcomer Henry Newton just missed the top position on the rostrum by a fraction of a second in both the 4x50m Medley and Freestyle Relay Finals, but were still delighted to pick up their Silver Medals. The Boys 9/10 year 'B' team of James Craigie, Charlie Stewart, Ben Jobson and Joe Thompson swam well to finish 8^th, narrowly missing the final of 4x50m Freestyle relay, and also swimming to a notable 14^th in the Medley event.

The Girls 9/10 year squad of Chloe Davis, Bethany Goldfinch, Amy Barrell and Jennifer Lamb did not disappoint their large crowd of supporters and swum two solid races to reach the finals in both 4x50m Medley and Relay events. They eventually finished a very good 6^th to pick up their first County pennant. Will Muggleton, Jack Hudson, Blue Newton and Elliott Eveleigh comprising the boys 11/12 year team, put in a creditable performance in the Heats of their relay events, nearly making the Finals, and eventually finishing in 8^th position in the 4x50m Freestyle and Medley.

In the Championship individual events for Junior and Senior Swimmers, Runnymede's 15 year-old Aaron Eveleigh reinforced the current good form that recently took him to Sheffield with the Essex Squad for the Inter-County competition. His best race of the weekend came in the 200m Butterfly where he took 2^nd position in the Junior age group and 7^th overall when the Men's senior age group was included. He also picked a notable 3^rd in the 100m Butterfly, 4^th in both the 100m and 200m Freestyle and 8^th in the 50m Butterfly to cap a successful weekend. Also qualifying for the Championship for the first time was Charlotte Davis, who achieved a good 12^th position in the Junior 200m Butterfly and 22^nd in the 50m Butterfly. Qualifiers Samantha Knight and Georgie Hunt, finished 19^th and 23^rd respectively in the 50m Breaststroke at their first County Championships.

Swimmers and beginners, who wish to take part in competitive swimming and be part of the Club's success, should come along to talk to the Club's coaching staff at Runnymede Pool, Kiln Road Thundersley, at 6:30pm on Friday evenings.