Winsford Swimming Club

British National Championships

It was that time of year again, after a long window we had 3 qualifiers for the British. Congratulations to Amy, Kate and Lois who placed top in the whole country during the qualifying window. 

Overall Results

Amy Kenworthy- 1500 Free : 5th

Kate Schillinger- 100 Back : 4th (FINALIST)

Kate Schillinger- 200 Back : 15th

Amy Kenworthy- 400 IM- 27th 

Amy Kenworthy- 800 Free: 13th

Lois Inch- 200 Brst : 22nd 

Highlights- 

The meet began with Amy who had the 1500, she had a phenomenal swim, it was an absolute pleasure to watch & one of the best swims of the whole meet. Amy went in 12th on paper and finished 5th overall missing out on medalling by just 3 seconds in a new lifetime PB by 7 seconds. Next up with Kate on the 100 Back, job done in the heats in a new big lifetime PB and a place in the final. We knew the final was going to be tough… fast and close, but not that close… Kate finished in an incredible 4th place in the whole of Great Britain missing the medals by a painful 0.02. But I know we’ll come back stronger next year because of it. Kate also competed in the 200 Back another solid swim finishing mid field and just missing a place in the final. Lastly was Lois who had to wait all week to swim, she swum a solid 200 Brst, technically we were happy with the swim & took the positives from the race! This swim lead to Lois then swimming a season’s best on her 100 Brst at English with another well executed race! Overall well done to all our British qualifiers! 

Open Water National Championships

It was a lovely sunny day as we travelled to Rother Valley Country park. Fantastic location, lovely lake and we knew we were in for a great day. 

Overall Results- 

Toby Jones- 7.5k : 25th 

Ciaran Turner- 5K: 23rd 

Highlights -

Both boys gave it their absolute all, they were gutsy and pushed for the whole event, it was the first time for both and they took on the challenge brilliantly. I know both boys are capable of qualifying again next year!! So proud of you both, Open Water really isn’t for the faint hearted… people talk about how hard the 1500 Free is, but they should try a 5 or 7.5k race to really experience the toughest of races!! I would love to see more taking on open water regionals next year to get a shot at qualifying for nationals! 

Open Water Masters Nationals Championships

Results

Molly James- 5k : 1st 

Molly James- 4x400 Female: 1st

Molly James- 4x400 Mixed :2nd

Highlights-

It was another sunny day at Rother Valley, my individual went well, I was happy and more importantly enjoyed myself as I was swimming outside in the sun… probably one of my all time favourite things to do. I was fortunate to be involved in Great Britain's first ever open water relays as a ‘test event’ SE used the masters to see how the event would work with the hope of bringing it to juniors for next year & I really hope they do!! It was soo fun & I would absolutely love our club to be able to take part in open water relays too! 

English National Summer Meet 

A much busier week a very busy schedule, long days, busy warm ups & LOTS of swimmers but our swimmers all rose to challenge. 

Overall Results

Adam Wright - 1500 Free : 12th 

George Pearce- 200 Brst : 21st 

Emily Lines- 100 Brst : 5th (FINALIST)

Kate Schillinger- 200 Free: 33rd (combined) 10th AG

Luke Nevin Suarez- 400 IM : 9th (FINALIST)

George Pearce- 400 IM : 13th 

Luke Nevin Suarez- 400 Free : 11th

Emily Lines- 200 Brst : 18th 

George Pearce- 200 Brst: 15th

Carys Roberts- 50 Free: 5th (FINALIST) 

Luke Nevin Suarez- 100 Free : 4th

Kate Schillinger- 400 Free: 39th (combined) 12th AG 

Molly Brennan- 50 Back: 20th

Luke Nevin Suarez - 200 IM: 11th

George Pearce- 200 IM: 17th

Adam Wright- 800 Free : 15th

Hattie Lawson- 200 Fly: 25th (combined) 5th AG

Annabelle Chan- 200 Fly: 23rd (combined) 8th AG

Sophie Grindley- 200 Fly: 23rd

Gus Fraser- 200 Fly: 8th (FINALIST) 

Emily Lines- 50 Brst: 14th

Lois Inch- 50 Brst: 21st

Molly Brennan- 200 Back: 12th 

Sophie Grindley- 200 Back: 31st

Luke Nevin Suarez- 100 Back: 16th

Kate Schillinger- 100 Free: 11th (combined) 1st AG

Sophie Grindley- 400 IM: 21st 

Luke Nevin Suarez- 200 Free: 4th (FINALIST)

Molly Brennan- 100 Back:16th 

Highlights-

Everyone did well, it was so hard to shorten this meet down. Firstly massive well done to our younger swimmers who completed their first ever nationals, I know this is a HUGE step up to anything you have done before… but you were all fantastic! And massive thank you to our seniors who looked after our youngsters. 

So onto our finalists… before the meet if you’d told me we would have had a swimmer in a final every single night of English I probably wouldn’t have believed you… but we did! We had some huge step up performances… firstly Gus he came out in heat 2, the final looked a tough ask but after a monster of a swim he did a 6 second PB and broke 2.30 200 Fly for the first time qualifying him in 10th. That night Gus swum in the final improved his time again & improved by 2 places finishing 8th. You were an absolute superstar, your attitude, race ethic and ability to cope on the big stage made it a pleasure to be your coach. Gus also took 3 seconds off his 100m Butterfly. I move next onto Luke.. incredible racing during the whole week, starting the week with a 6 second lifetime PB on 400 IM I knew the week was going to be good…so it was hard to cut it down to what your best performances were, but I have to pick both his 100&200 Freestyle, achieving massive PBs in both, unfortunately finishing 4th in both finals, similarly to Kate just being out touched. I know this was mentally hard to take.. but again you will come back stronger mentally and physically for it. It’s probably the hardest place to come, but you took it like a champ. It’s only the beginning for you Luke, you’ve been an absolute honour to coach. Next Carys, Carys had to take a break during her swimming training for A levels- understandably. But once they were over it was time to get our head back in the game, that she has done with lots and lots of sprint training to get her prep’d, I knew she was looking good leading into comp. Carys finished 5th in a new lifetime PB and a place in the final where she remained in 5th and matched another lifetime PB, I was super proud of you! Next Emily, Emily only moved to us recently but I know she’s going to shine with us at Winsford, Emily had a fantastic 100 Brst in the heats to make the final. We cheered and waved at her as she completed her final in a new lifetime PB and finished 5th, so close to those medals! I can’t wait to see what you’re capable of next season Emily! Huge welcome to Winsford!

Now PB’s. Congratulations to George, Hattie, and Molly who came away from the meet with lifetime PBs, no finals but absolute valiant effort swimming. For Molly’s who’s had GCSE’s, training has been tougher & for George and Hattie who completed their first ever nationals- all 3 of you are on for a fantastic upcoming season. Well done to Sophie with a season’s best on her 400 IM by 3 seconds and the strongest breastroke leg I’ve ever seen you do! You’ve trained so hard and deserve your success! For Annabelle who qualified in the 14/15 at only 14 you were incredible coming 8th in your age group, no final due to the combined age rules, but again next year will be on when we’re in the right age bracket! Swimming up is tough. 

Thank you to the swimmers who came on their day off to cheer, especially Kate who spent a lot of time there when she wasn’t swimming, supporting the whole team- your hard work outside the pool didn’t go unnoticed. Secondly Jackie Schillinger for being our amazing team manager, you’re a star! To Reece Craghill for representing our club and volunteering as an official at the champs- thank you. To Ivy Fraser who volunteered as an athlete’s box carrier on the night of the finals- these events wouldn’t run without volunteers like you! Great job! 

Here we have some of my favourite pictures from the meet.

Hattie with a massive 200 Fly PB!

Luke breaking not only 59 for the first time… but 58 as well on his 100 Free!

Gus with his new 6 second lifetime PB and winning a place into the final!

Kate stepping up for her 100 Free Swim off!

Toby smiling on the start line of his 7.5k Race!

To our National swimmers… Nationals 2024 has been a huge success nearly all swimmers completed at least one PB at the championships, some who did massive ones. The effort levels on the lead up to nationals has been phenomenal, all of you have consistently trained and push hard and the results have shown, so massive well done from me. You’ve all been an absolute pleasure to coach and i’ve loved my experience getting to coach my first ever nationals too. It’s been a learning curve and personal development for me as well & well as you a lot with yours swims. Onto next season, enjoy summer, time to recover, analyse and review in preparation for next season. Thank you!!

Enjoy the rest of the photos. 

Molly