Report on a great few weeks of competition for Runnymede S.C.
Runnymede swimmers have been in action at league and open gala competitions throughout March and April. Following another great set of Results from the County Championships, a large team of swimmers took part in the Southend SC Easter Gala and stamped a successful conclusion to March's competition.
George Smith proved unstoppable in the 11 year age group by taking 1st place in the 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle and also added an event best time in the 100m Backstroke. Team mates Jonathan Ellis, Joe Thompson and James Craigie also left clutching a handful of medals in the same age group. Joe took 2nd place in the 100m Butterfly, 4th in the 100m Backstroke, 5th in the 100m Freestyle and 6th in the 100m Breaststroke. Jonathan won silver medals for 2nd places in the 100m Backstroke an Freestyle and also gained 4th place in the 100m Breaststroke. James gained a new personal best in taking 6th position honours in the 100m Freestyle.
Patrick Neary has found a rich vein of form over recent weeks, he produced four new personal best times over 100m in all strokes at the competition in the 12 year group, and also won four medals for his achievements. Henry Newton took Gold in the 100m Butterfly, Silver in the 100m Freestyle and Backstroke and another medal for 4th in the 100m Breaststroke for the 10 year age group. In the 13 year boys group, Howard Clarke picked a couple of medals and two new best times for a good days competition at the meet. Harry Smith took Silver in the 100m Butterfly and Bronze in the 100m Backstroke for 14 year olds, and also produced some new personal bests at the gala.
For the girls squad, Charlotte Davis won Gold in the 100m Butterfly and Bronze in the 100m Freestyle for 12 year-olds. Samantha Knight took the Silver medal in the 13 year 100m Breaststroke and was closely followed by team-mate Rebecca Scott who took the Bronze position. Rebecca was also successful in the 100m Butterfly to produce a new PB and take the 6th place medal.
In the 11 year age group, Chloe Davis won Silver in the 100m Freestyle in a new personal best, and also took 4th place honours in the 100m Butterfly and Backstroke events. Many of Runnymede's swimmers produced new best times during the gala, but were unfortunate to finish just outside the medal positions.
April was a busy month of League competitions for the club, with galas in the Essex Swimming League Division 2, the National Junior Speedo League and the Essex Mini-League. Looking for a second successive jump up the divisions in the Essex Swimming League, the club just missed promotion to Division 1 after an excellent final round performance, and finishing the seasons league competition in overall 3rd place.
The opening round draw of the Junior Speedo League had pitted most of last years top 6 finishers together at Barnet Copthall Pool. This league for 9 to 12 year-olds is always keenly contested amongst the South-East's top clubs, and is a good indicator of a club's new and emerging talent. Runnymede have made the top 6 final over the last few years, and are hoping this trend would continue during the 2005 season. Round one proved a tough and very close gala as expected with so many good teams involved, but Head coach Paul Eveleigh, Assistant Coach Natalie Brown and their staff, were very pleased with the outcome as Runnymede finished in overall 3rd place at the meet. The 3rd place finish gives the club and excellent draw for round two in May and will hopefully take them to a 3rd successive top 6 final.
The Essex Mini-League provides the club's novice swimmers with a good chance to prove themselves under competition conditions. April's round hosted by the club at Runnymede Pool was as hard fought as ever, but the club eventually finished in 1st place with a good points total. When added to the previous two rounds points with overall 1st and 3rd places, should definitely see them amongst the league leaders and in possible Championship contention.
It is also the height of the licensed gala season with the Country's swimmers looking for qualification to the Southern Counties and National Championships. Reports on Redbridge Sprints, Beckenham Open at Crystal Palace and the Waltham Forest Olympic Development Meet will follow shortly. May sees the last Southern Counties Championships begin, with the Club's top swimmers pitting themselves against the south of England's best. Good Luck to all involved.