Winsford Swim Team Win Round 2 of Crusader League 2019
On Saturday 8th June Winsford made the journey to Halton to race in Round 2 of Division 1 of the Crusader Swimming League. Winsford had a superb Round 1 which took place some three months earlier at COSACCS, so we were looking to continue this good form in Round 2. As with all rounds we are looking to give many more swimmers the opportunity to represent the oranges, and with this in mind we made over 20 changes to the team which was sent out in the first round.
As in Round 1 we were up against two very good teams from Halton and COSACSS (Stoke), so we knew we would all have to put in a first class performance to come out on top and increase our points totals going into the last round in a few weeks time. Winsford Swim Team again started off very well setting the tone from the very first races, the 100 IM and first set of relays and to be honest we never looked back racing with superb focus and swimming our absolute best in every single individual race and relay.
Over Round 2 we achieved 28 first place finishes out of a total of 51 races and no doubt many life time best swims. As always what was pleasing most was simply the racing, getting on that block and giving absolute everything. Wonderful to see such camaraderie and our team coming together through the different age categories. A very exciting night of racing, finishing off with the cannon which was interesting, but Winsford won!
Points Totals for Round 2 (edit: subject to verification - they changed after the last round!)
1st: Winsford 255
2nd: Halton 223
3rd: COSACSS 180
Points Totals for Round 1 & 2 combined
1st: Winsford 537
2nd: Halton 445
3rd: COSACSS 334
We now look forward with absolute tremendous excitement to the final round of Division 1 of the Crusader League 2019, which takes place on home turf at the first class training facility of the Winsford Lifestyle Centre. I am sure all our swimmers who are selected will bring their triple A game to round 3, I know the balcony will be packed with Oranges cheering on all our swimmers and helping us to finish the Crusader League of in great style.
Swimmers representing Winsford Swim Team were:
10 Under: Rebecca Line, Amelia Fitzgerald, Milly Venning, Penelope Harrison, Ciaran Turner, Cillian Wilkes, Harry Price, Max Kimber.
11/12: Lana Booth, Eden Mankee, Alissa Clarke, Erin Hardy, Lois Inch, Adam Wright, Adam Brown, Fin Parkinson, Will Line, Harvey James.
13/14: Izzy Kay, Sophie Grindley, Carys Roberts, Charlotte Mullett, Izzy Whittle, George Young, Will James, Tom Carss, Lewis Turner.
Open: Alissa Blackshaw, Charlotte Thomson, Katelyn Murray, Izz Burton, Adam Blackshaw, Will Murray, Alex Moss, Ethan Jones.
Special mention to: Rebecca Line, Ciaran Turner and Max Kimber, this was their very first gala for us in the Crusader League. They performed tremendously well and represented the Oranges to the highest order, Well Done on your debuts.
Thank You to everyone who helped us to achieve this result in Halton, all coaches, the team managers; Claire Brown, Sue Wright & Claire Turner, the judges; Julie Kay, Catharine Line & Debra Thomson, the supporters from the balcony and ultimately all our swimmers. We support our swimmers in everything they do but ultimately it is our swimmers who have to stand on that block and perform and for sure that is what they did, WELL DONE EVERYONE.
As Frank Sinatra said "Orange is the happiest colour". He was not wrong, that is why we wear it!
See you at the Winsford Pool, where we work hard, train with tremendous focus, have a super fun time and support each other always.
Thanks
Dan.
