As the U10 girls and U11 boys climbed aboard the school minibus to head off to London’s Olympic Park for the IAPS Swimming National Finals 2022 – and despite double morning squad sessions in preparation for the event – a mix of nerves and excitement filled the air.
Fuelled with anticipation, our U11 boys were the first to get a taste of the Olympic Aquatics Centre pool water as they warmed up for the medley and freestyle relays. A strong backstroke leg from Remy was followed by a quick changeover from Arjun on breaststroke. Vivek held a strong butterfly leg which was finished off by Harry with a fabulous freestyle finish. The U11 medley relay team placed 9th in the country for this event with a 4 second personal best, just 0.8 off the school record with Remy breaking a school record for his leg of the relay in the 25m backstroke!
After the medley relay, our freestyle swimmers took to the pool. A 4 x 25m freestyle relay saw the boys plough through the water with fast stroke rates throughout. Vivek, Remy, Arjun and Ethan finished 13th with a 3 second personal best and a new school record!
Up next, the U11 boys qualified for 2 individual events. Remy qualified 3rd for the 50m backstroke and placed 15th overall in the finals with another new school record! Vivek qualified 9th for the 50m butterfly and placed 12th overall, also in a new school record!
The U10 girls, who were tremendous in supporting the boys in the morning session, now took to the pool to warm up. The atmosphere resounding through the building was electric throughout the event! Aaria, Anna, Lydia and Rosie swam in both the medley and freestyle relays, placing 13th for the medley with a 5 second personal best and 19th for the freestyle with a 3 second personal best.
The swimmers should be incredibly proud of their achievements and I envisage the weekend’s experiences of racing in the London Olympic Aquatic Centre will be one that will stay with them all for a very long time!
Miss Mockler
