W

English Nationals 2022 - Report, 1 GOLD, 1 SILVER, 3 BRONZE, 13 Finals.

Before I begin this report, beware it is a long one, so it might be best to make a brew and get the digestive biscuits in, the chocolate ones are best for dunking. Anyway let's get onto the report, here we go…..
Now that the British Nationals have come to an end it was the turn for our swimmers competing in the English National Championships. The venue was again the Ponds Forge International Centre in Sheffield and was taking place over 5 days from Friday 5th August through to Tuesday 9th August, with heats taking place in the morning and early afternoon and finals in the evenings.
This year we had 10 swimmers qualify for the English Summer Nationals ranging from the shortest event in the pool right up to the longest, being the 1500 Freestyle. In total we had 15 events to look forward to, and in all events we were looking for finals/top 10 placings, medals and many more new life time best swims. All swimmers were in determined mood to finish off the season to our absolute best performances.
On Day 1, We had Ethan Wright beginning his national championships with the men's 400 Individual Medley. Ethan is a superb allrounder and has always liked to race over the more challenging events, and so he was in his element in the 400 IM. Ethan is a very experienced swimmer having attended national championships before Covid hit our shores, so he was in a relaxed but very focused mood to do a great job.
In the heat the plan was to swim easy as we had a pretty good idea that we would be fast enough for the final, so Ethan swam to plan, touching home in a time of 4:54.94 slightly slower than his life time best he achieved in the Welsh Easter National Meet this year but good enough for a final spot, placing him 8th going into the final later that evening. We came away from the heat thinking all to play for with an outside chance of a medal. 
The final was taking place in the evening session and Ethan was in very determined mood to swim very fast, and that is what he did. Ethan started off more relaxed in his Fly but then turned the screw in the backstroke and breaststroke legs. We knew if we were there or there abouts after the breaststroke we knew our free was strong. Ethan paced his final perfectly coming from 7th place after the breaststroke and racing hard into the Silver medal position. Ethan touched home in a new life time best swim of 4:41.86, knocking 5 seconds off his previous best time. What a swim and race to watch, the last 100 Freestyle leg was phenomenal. Well done Ethan SILVER medal in the 400 IM at the English National Championships. That McDonald's milkshake you had at dinner time must have made all the difference for the final! 
On Day 2, We had Carys Roberts racing in the women’s 50 Freestyle and then Megan Rickels and Sophie Grindley racing in the women’s 1500 Freestyle, so the day was contrasting a 1 length splash and dash right up to the 30 lengths of the 1500 Free.
First to take the plunge was Carys Roberts in the women’s 50 Freestyle, now Carys loves a sprint so she was in a super mood to try and get in the final and maybe even get on the podium. Carys had an outstanding heat swim, after a tremendous start she quickly got into her blisteringly fast stroke rate and she won the heat in a new life time best of 27.50. The heat was so good that it qualified her into the final later that evening in 3rd place. We knew we were on form and we knew we wanted a medal, so it was very exciting going into the evening session. Carys’s said after the heat swim “technically not the best swim, but it gets the job done”, Carys certainly did get the job done!
Second up was Megan in the women’s 1500 Freestyle. Megan was in a happy and relaxed mood in Sheffield, so straight away we hand an inkling we were going to swim fast and this most certainly was the case. Megan paced her heat superbly, starting off fast but getting faster and faster and faster as each 100 progressed. Megan must have been in 7th place after the first 100 but in the end she came home in second place in her heat picking off people as the race developed. In the end Megan came second in her heat, touching home in a new life time best swim of 18:25.80, which was 27 seconds faster than her previous best, a phenomenal effort from Megan. The swim ranked Megan 5th place overall in her age, and just 4 seconds from making the podium, all the same a fantastic swim. A interesting note is that time would have been enough to make the podium in the 15 years (the age above) and the 17 over age category. I am sure Megan will be buzzing for the 400 Freestyle tomorrow.
Finally we had Sophie Grindley (our captain) going in the women’s 1500 Freestyle. Sophie’s goal this year was to make nationals in an event, this year she qualified for two, so straight away we met our goals and have had a fantastic season. Sophie was looking to swim fast in her first national event. Sophie as always gave her best battling hard throughout the 30 lengths, Sophie touched the pad slightly off PB however a gutsy swim. A great experience for the 200 Fly on Monday and for future nationals because I am positive Sophie will be back in 2023 and pushing on for final/podium placings. Well done Sophie.
Now that the heats were done, we moved onto the finals session where Carys was buzzing like a bumble bee to get a medal and get on the podium. Carys was mentally switched on, probably more than I ever seen her. Carys after a 1.5 hours wait she was on, Carys had a cracking start getting up into her stroke and TBH I think she was leading the race right up to 40m and by some margin, unfortunately we couldn’t quite maintain our speed into the final 10m but Carys still finished strong touching home in 27.55 which was again under her previous PB going into the Nationals. The swim was good enough for the BRONZE medal at the English National Championships. Great swim Carys and thoroughly deserved, one of the nicest people on planet earth.
On Day 3, We had Megan Rickels returning after her brilliant 1500 free the day before, this time she was racing over the shorter distance of the 400 Freestyle. We also had Amy Kenworthy returning after her phenomenal swims at the British Nationals, Amy was going in the women’s 200 Individual Medley. We also had Adam Wright returning after his super performance at the British Nationals, Adam was racing in the men’s 800 Freestyle, so lots to look forward to on day 3.
First to go was Megan Rickels in the women’s 400 Freestyle, Megan was in confident mood after her brilliant 1500 free the day before. She had the attitude of more progressive pacing and we were shooting to make the final. Megan had another superbly paced swim touching the pad in 4:44.42 which is another new life time best swim and placing Megan 7th going into the final.
Next to go was Amy Kenworthy in the 200 IM, Amy was as always in a very happy mood, she really does love to race and challenge herself when in the thick of the action. Amy as always had a superb swim, looking strong throughout each of the four strokes. Amy finished the race off very strong coming home in a time of 2:28.40 which was another new life time best swim. It really has been the story of the nationals with so many new life time best swims from all swimmers. Amy’s race was good enough for 6th place going into tonight's final.
Last but certainly not least we had Adam Wright racing the men’s 800 Freestyle. Adam was in very determined mood as always and was very eager to make a podium. Adam started off the race at a very fast pace, going out in the first 400m 2 seconds below his 400 free PB, so we were clearly on the attack. Adam continued at that pace and battled so hard every step of the way, or should I say every stroke of the way. Adam touched the pad in a new life time best swim of 8:58.23, smashing his previous personal best and placing him in BRONZE medal position just narrowly missing out on the silver, but what a fantastic effort from Adam, he like his brother do give their racing absolute everything and that is all we can ask. Well Done Adam.
Now that the heats were over we were onto the finals, first to go was Megan Rickels in the women’s 400 Freestyle. To have a chance we knew we would have to go out faster and that is what we did, being up over the first 300 unfortunately we couldn’t quite maintain our pace into the last 100m, but still a very gutsy swim from Megan. Megan came home in 9th place and just slightly slower than her heat swim but what a great weekend for Megan with the 1500 Free being a wow moment. Well Done Megan and happy birthday, it was Megan's birthday today so it was really nice to spend it with her at the National championships.
Last to go in the heats was Amy Kenworthy in the women’s 200 IM, Amy was hoping to break into the podium positions, unfortunately we couldn’t quite do that but Amy as always gave her very best. Amy had a good swim placing 9th in the final, just shy off her new life time best she achieved in the heat. I am sure Amy will be looking forward to the 200 Fly tomorrow morning. Tomorrow we have 5 swimmers going in the 200 Fly, it really is great to see so many of our swimmers qualifying for this event.
On Day 4, We had 5 swimmers racing in Sheffield, all of which were racing in the 200 Butterfly. We have an excellent history of producing super butterfly swimmers and this year was no different with Alissa Clarke, Amy Kenworthy, Sophie Grindley, Tom Kud, and Ethan Wright all racing in the 200 Butterfly, 4 lengths of the LC pool.
First up was Alissa Clarke, Alissa was keen to make an impression at her very first national championships and she certainly did that. Alissa as always was in a chatty mood before her race and super excited to shoot for a great swim. Alissa built her pace brilliantly well into her race picking off swimmers as the 200 race develops. Alissa had a barn storming last 50m and touched in a new life time best swim of 2:33.31 and good enough for a place in this evenings final, placing her 7th overall and under 3 seconds from a podium placing. I am positive Alissa will give her very best tonight, but whatever the outcome she has done tremendously well, so nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Next to race was Sophie Grindley, well I say Sophie but in reality it was both Sophie and Amy in the same heat. But talking about Sophie first, she had another decent swim, which was just off PB however her swim was good enough for the final, placing her 10th (at Nationals we have 10 swimmers in the final). So we have another shot at racing in a national final, Sophie was absolute buzzing to be told she had made the final, with the excitement levels going to 101 out of 100, very exciting to have made the final.
The final girl to go was Amy Kenworthy, well I say final but not really as mentioned above Amy was in the same heat as Sophie. So what to say about this race, I think the main word that springs to mid is “WOW”. Amy progressed her heat superbly well, getting faster and faster, looking so strong throughout the swim. Amy after 4 superb lengths achieved a time of 2:24.27 another new life time best swim for Amy by 4 seconds. This swim places Amy 1st going into this evening's final, now that is really exciting, Amy’s excitement level is off the charts, on the moon, high as a kite etc, etc.
Next to take to the blocks was Tom Kud again in the 200 Butterfly, but as you will know in the men’s version. Tom was ultra determined and set the tone straight away with a very fast first 100, Tom then held on well for the 3rd 50 and finishing off again very fast on the last 50. Tom had a tremendous swim, achieving a time of 2:16.21 which was another new life time best swim for Winsford Swim Team and for Tom. Unfortunately this super heat swim placed him 11th, narrowly missing out on the final by two tenths of a second, but all the same a great swim and effort. I am positive Tom will come back next season with even more fire in his belly, because a million percent there is more to come from this young man, well done Tom.
Finally it was Ethan’s turn to hit the water and he was as always geared towards making the final and that is exactly what he did. Ethan had a super swim hitting a time pretty much bang on his life time best of 2:11.86 and places him comfortably in the final into 8th position. In the heat Ethan looked comfortable and it is hoped we can push that 3rd length a little bit more to give us a chance down that last length and hopefully nudge under the 2:10 mark, it is definitely in our reach. Whatever the outcome we will give it our very best, that is for sure.
Now the heats were over we had a nice break before the finals and all 4 of our swimmers were super duper pumped for some fast racing.
First to go in the women’s 15 years 200 Butterfly was Alissa Clarke. Alissa was so, so, excited to race fast partly to do well for herself but to also earn some cash from her father, a little bit of bribery goes a long way! So after a good chat with Alissa she went on her way to the call room, well we thought she was going to the call room but she ended up at completely the wrong end of the pool, but after some quick thinking from coach “Amy go and get Alissa NOW”, Alissa found her way to the call room and we were back to the focus of the race. So Alissa dived in a did her thing, progressively getting faster and faster as the race went on. Alissa in a nutshell had the best race of her life, touching the pad in another new life time best of 2:30.91 going 3 seconds faster than her heat swim, placing her 8th. Alissa literally gave it everything but I have to say if there was another 10m she could have got a medal, that was because she was coming down that last length like a bullet train, the trains they have in Japan. A fantastic heat and even better final, well done Alissa, top job.
Next to go and literally the final straight after Alissa was Amy Kenworthy, again racing in the 200 Fly but in the 16 years age group. Amy is probably the most relaxed swimmer I have ever known before she races, Alissa got out of the pool after her race and she said to me “Amy was dancing away whilst marshalling before her race”, the most important race of her life and Amy was dancing, brilliant! So anyway back to the race, this was another WOW moment. Amy dived in and had the race of her life, she literally brought everything she had to the final. I told her she had to win, and she did, pacing the race superbly and looking strong, controlled and confident throughout. Amy touched the pad in another new life time best knocking a further 2 seconds off her heat swim, her time was 2:22.95 which would have been just 1 second shy of getting the bronze medal at British Nationals a week earlier, this just shows what a phenomenal swim it was. Amy Kenworthy GOLD and English Champion 2022, as Punch would say “that’s the way to do it”! Well Done Amy outstanding swimming.
In the following heat it was the turn of captain Sophie Grindley. Sophie qualified in 10th so absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Sophie for the final was clearly more aggressive and raced hard throughout the 200m butterfly. Sophie after 4 of her very best lengths came home just shy of her PB but 2 seconds faster than her heat swim and placing 10th. For Sophie and for many of our swimmers it was their first taste of summer nationals either British or English, and I know all these experiences will provide more fire in their bellies for next season. I know we will push on for more success. Well Done Sophie, you got to nationals, you got to nationals, you got to nationals, always remember that, WELL DONE!
Last but not least it was the turn of Ethan Wright who was, you guessed it going in the men’s 18 over 200 Butterfly. Today there has definitely been a pattern! Anyway back to the racing, Ethan was ultra determined to swim his very best and finish off the season with a Big Bang. Ethan started the race fast and was at 50m, 100m and 150m up on his PB and was looking for a sub 2:10 time, unfortunately we couldn’t quite make that goal but we again swam super well, achieving a time of 2:11.78 and 8th in the final. Ethan is a shining example for any young swimmer, he wants to work hard, he wants to achieve, he wants to improve, and he races without fear, WELL DONE young man, it has been great to have you at our club for so many years, and I am 100% positive many more years to come. That 400 IM final will live long in the memory!
On Day 5 (FINAL DAY, Thank Goodness!), We had Jack Wheeler making his national debut for 2022, Jack was racing in the men’s 50 Butterfly and we also had both Adam Wright and Lewis Turner racing in the men’s 400 Freestyle, so today was sure to be very exciting.
First to race was Jack Wheeler in the men’s 50 Butterfly heats. Jack loves his splash and dash events with the butterfly being his preferred sprint. So needless to say he was looking to be as explosive as possible for a length of the 50m pool. Jack is a very mature swimmer, his preparation is second to none and it often shows in his racing with the outcome being either A or A* on a regular occurrence. Jack had the heat of his life, diving in working his underwater phase (which is excellent) to 15m and then head down and go. Jack swam with superb skill and ferocity, touching the pad in a life time best swim of 28.00, a half a second best time (which is a lot over a 50), and placing him 2nd going into this evenings final. Tonight is sure to be very exciting with just 6 tenths of a second separating all 10 finalists, can we go below 28 seconds, I think so!
Next up was Adam Wright who was racing in the 400 Freestyle. After his stupendous swim in the 800 Free (Bronze Medal) two days earlier he was looking to swim very fast. Adam was ranked last in his age but did he care, NO HE DID NOT, I told Adam I wanted him in the final and so he went to work to make that goal come true. Adam dived in and went for it, he may not be the biggest in size but he is a giant inside and he showed that in his swim, with 8 super strong lengths. Adam finished his race in another new life time best of 4:22.36 which was 5 seconds faster than his previous PB and more importantly a place in the final, ranking Adam 8th.
Last race of the heats was Lewis Turner and after seeing Adam storm it he was keen to replicate that same commitment and drive to push towards making the finals. Lewis dived in and had a fantastic swim, battling hard against many other lads who were of his age. Lewis progressed his swim well and yet still going out fast. Lewis touched the pad in another new life time best of 4:19.78 which is over a second fastest than his previous best. A fantastic heat swim from Lewis and places him 3rd going into tonights final. So tonight we had both Adam and Lewis in the lads 16 years 400 Freestyle, super exciting for our club.
Now that the heats were done and dusted we just had the small task of racing super fast in the finals. Before that though I had to refuel with a roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce bap, plus a cottage pie, delicious and I have to say anyone visiting Sheffield I strongly recommend the deli down the side road near the Travelodge where the Norfolk Arms is situated, great place for food.
Anyway lets talk final and try and forget about the pork. First to go was Jack Wheeler aka little Wheeler. The reason why we call Jack, little Wheeler is that he has an older brother called Ryan so that is why Jack is little. Butterfly runs in their family and Jack was keen to emulate what Ryan has achieved. So onto the final, Jack was super focused and determined to not only break the 28 mark but to try and gain a place on the podium. As with all 50s fine margins determine the placings, Jack had another great swim, and came home in 28.10 which was good enough for 8th, which was again faster than his entry time. Even though we narrowly missed a medal Jack was superb and I am 100% certain Jack will go from strength to strength now, top job young man.
Next to race was both Adam and Lewis which was our final race of the English National Championships so we had to finish off with a bang and that is what we did. Both Adam and Lewis went off fast and to be honest it was a very tight race well up to 300m, at which point the race started to become a little bit more stretched out. Both Adam and Lewis continued to fight hard with Lewis managing to stay with the front swimmer. In the end the medals were decided with a sprint finish between a number of swimmers. Lewis touched home 3rd overall and gained the BRONZE medal, and ever so close to first place, but a truly magnificent effort all the same, gaining a time of 4:14.96 which was another new massive life time best, nearly 5 seconds faster than his heat swim. Adam then touched the pad soon after placing him in 7th place overall. Adam achieved another new life time best swim of 4:21.00 which was over a second faster than his heat swim. Adam and Lewis were outstanding, they gave their heart and soul and just raced to their absolute maximum, and that is what it is about, getting stuck in. It was great to see to Winsford lads in the same final, and it was the perfect way to finish the English Nationals.
Well Done to all swimmers who raced in Sheffield at the English Summer Nationals 2022. EVERY swimmer should be very proud with what they have achieved. 4 swimmers at British and 10 swimmers at English, I know the club will be looking at even more next year, of course before this a little holiday is in order!
English Summer Nationals Results
Amy Kenworthy (16): GOLD 200 Butterfly, 9th 200 Individual Medley.
Ethan Wright (18+): SILVER 400 Individual Medley, 8th 200 Butterfly.
Adam Wright (16): BRONZE 800 Freestyle, 7th 400 Freestyle.
Carys Roberts (16): BRONZE 50 Freestyle.
Lewis Turner (16): BRONZE 400 Freestyle.
Megan Rickels (14): 5th 1500 Freestyle, 9th 400 Freestyle.
Jack Wheeler (14): 8th 50 Butterfly.
Alissa Clarke (15): 8th 200 Butterfly.
Sophie Grindley (17+): 10th 200 Butterfly, 13th 1500 Freestyle.
Tom Kud (17): 11th 200 Butterfly.
1 GOLD, 1 SILVER, 3 BRONZE, 
13 Finals, 
5 Different Medalists.
Well Done Team Winsford, It was fun.
Good Luck to Ross Hanley, William Line and Jasmine Lloyd who are racing in the National open Water Championships today, Wednesday 10th August.
See you at the pool.
Dan.

Featured Pages

Information

What does it all mean?

Lessons

We all have to start somewhere

Squads

The heart of the club

Galas

Galas / Meets / Competitions