Winsford Swimming Club

Day 1

Amy kicked off this year’s British Summer Nationals in the 1500m Freestyle. We had a long wait before it was finally our turn being in one of the last heats. Amy has recently PBd this event in London back in April so was feeling relaxed. Amy dived in and started off strong, she turned in a great 200 split and then into a 400m PB and carried it on… an 800m PB and then a massive 8 seconds 1500m lifetime PB winning the heat by 25m. Amy finished an incredible 5th in the Open category behind 2 elite GB open water swimmers and one Olympian. Amy was super happy with this performance and it was a super positive start to the week. 

Day 2

Next we had George and Hen competing. George kicked us off with the 100 Brst, he kept his cool, we had a good warm up and he was feeling positive. He took to the block and managed a new 2 seconds lifetime PB in a brilliant 1.11 just missing out on a place in the final. Hen was next for the 200m Butterfly, a suit malfunction behind the block caused a bit of panic but she stuck it out and managed a gutsy swim also just missing out on those final places. 

Day 3

Today we had Gus and Kate. Gus kicked the heats off with a brilliant 200 Fly 4 seconds lifetime PB, went out hard and held on qualifying him into the final at his first ever race at this level. It was an incredible swim and super chuffed we could make it to that final against the best in Britain. Next Kate went into the heats with a quick split of 30.60 we knew it would be a good time finishing in 1.04 and going into the final with that middle lane and ranked first. After last year we learned that heat placings mean nothing… everyone ups their game for the final and nobody can be trusted to not pull it out the bag so we knew we had to step it up another level in order to medal. We took a slightly different race plan of taking the first 50 down a notch and coming back stronger than ever, the race plan was executed perfectly and Kate touched in an incredible 1.03 and first place! It was a truly spectacular moment that I’ll treasure forever, the excitement, the emotion, the adrenaline. Mike Schillinger and Stuart Fraser hugging on the balcony with excitement, Mike then dancing in celebration, it was just a night to remember. Huge congratulations Kate -  the club's first ever British Champion and we are unbelievably proud. 

Day 4

Today we hit the sprints, we had Luke in the 100 Free and Kate in the 50. Similarly to Gus this was Luke’s first experience of British. He’d qualified in 20th so had lower expectations but he was happy to be there. He got in and gave it his best and finished above his ranking, he finished in an incredible 16th. Well done Luke, can’t wait to see what you do at English. Kate went next 50 Free, a bit of a wobbly heat, the emotions and excitement from last night were still there but we got lucky lane 9 again to the rescue and snuck into the final. Kate then progressed into having a much better final, she was on the outside and it was hard to tell by eye who got the touch but Kate finished in an incredible 6th in 27.14 a new lifetime PB. Amazing swim, well done Kate!

Day 5

Today we had Molly join the party with her first time qualifying for British in the 200m Backstroke as well as Kate in the 200, we also had George in the 200 Brst and then Hen in the 50 Fly. George started the day off matching his 200 Brst PB and just missing those finals places with a super strong swim, George built really nicely and demonstrated a great 3rd 50. For your first time at this level George we are super proud of you keeping those nerves under control and giving it your best. Next both girls pushed the 200 Back well and gave it their all with Molly improving on her ranking going in and finishing 16th in the country. Hen finished the day off with a new lifetime PB in the 50 Fly just missing out on finals- brilliant swim! 

Day 6

Final days are closing in. Today we had Amy kicking the morning off with the 400 IM & Kate in the 50m Backstroke. Amy started the race off brilliantly under PB mark at 200m and just touched outside but in a new season’s best only 0.5 off the final. It was a really positive swim and Amy was happy with the time. Next was Kate in the 50, an unfortunate slip off the ledge cost us dearly but Kate came back and never gave up she fought to the end of the length. The Uni of Birmingham Coach who coaches Olympian Ollie Morgan said this can happen to even the best after Ollie slipped a few weeks ago at an International meet. Kate showed her resilience and will come back stronger than ever once more. A learning curve for us all, sometimes after all the practice in the world things can go wrong, but it’s how we pick ourselves back up and go again that shows our true strength. 

Short turnaround later and Amy went in for her 800 Free, we recovered well & then had a great warm up and then hit the race hard from the off set, first 200 - new PB, first 400 - new PB… 800m -  new 8 seconds lifetime PB! And smashed the entire heat again. Wow! What a phenomenal champs you’ve had Amy, with A levels as well. So proud your efforts have been rewarded. Your last competition with the club before off to America and you’ve done yourself and the club so proud.

Day 7

Last day of the competition and it was finally the turn of Emily and Lois on their 200m Breastroke as well as Hen back again for the 100 Fly this time. Both Emily and Lois gave everything on their breastroke and looked strong. For Emily this was her first time qualifying for British and on top of her GCSEs it’s been a tough season but super proud of you. Lois recently pb’d this event so we knew that would be tough but she came out fighting and performed well. Hen then hit the 100 Fly her 3rd day of racing now she attacked it well but didn’t quite have enough in the back end to make those final spots but overall solid mornings work for these girls. 

Overall an absolute rollercoaster of a week & huge congratulations to our qualifiers the most ever and thank you for your continued support and hard work day in day out. You have all been an absolute credit to our club. 

Thank you

Molly