The Ecstasy and the Agony for Regional Qualifiers

Event: Tigersharks Last Chance Level 2 Open Meet Venue: Link Centre Date: 23rd May 2010

Swindon Dolphin BAGCATs achieved eleven new regional times at the Tigersharks Level 2 Open Meet last weekend.  A long energy sapping day culminated with the promising trio of 10 year old boys – Ben Sarachi, James Watson and James Chantler-Mayne – all comfortably achieving the required time in a fine display of 400m freestyle swimming.

The talented Sarachi led the way with three new qualifying times, having earlier achieved the required standard in the 200m individual medley and 200m breaststroke, and is proving to be a strong performer across all disciplines.  Watson also appears to be one to watch; his 400m freestyle time all the more creditable for having finished 13 seconds within the required time in the demanding 400m individual medley an hour earlier.  Chantler-Mayne showed great character in achieving his second regional time of the season, bouncing back from the disappointment of having missed the standard in his 200m breaststroke by less than one tenth of a second.

Others achieving two new qualifying times were Victoria Tainty and an impressive Adam Coleman.  Tainty put in two typically gritty performances in the 200m fly and 200m freestyle whilst in contrast, Coleman’s relaxed style disguised his impressive speed as he hit his targets in the 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke.  Completing the club’s haul, a 5 second personal best swim by Amber Davies means that she will be competing in the 200m freestyle at Millfield next month.

It was a frustrating day however for Ellie Bilko.  Two excellent 100m fly swims both fell just one tenth of a second short of the mark.  Conor McGilligan was also foiled by the clock, missing his 200m breaststroke time by less than one second.

Joe Kerslake was aiming higher, looking to reach the national qualifying standard in his the 100m backstroke but fell short of his target by less than half a second.  Kerslake can be pleased though with his recent consistency in an injury hit season.  There were other good performances from the older generation; Charlotte Gardo was in excellent form with a hat trick of personal best swims including her favoured 100m breaststroke, and is getting steadily closer to breaking the 30 second mark in the 50m freestyle.  It was also a good day for Gina Popal whose hard work in training brought its just rewards with personal bests in all her freestyle events.

Other good swims came from Jack Patey, Gemma Lucas, Samuel Woolford and Kelsea mae Jefferies, Jefferies having a particularly good day accumulating three personal bests from her five events.

Full results are available on the Competition Page