Worcester Swimming Club rounded off 2023 in brilliant style by claiming a stunning 3rd place finish in the National League, sponsored by Arena
Competing in the West Midlands Final (premier division), the swimmers excelled themselves against the very best in the Region. Donning blue & green “war paint” for the occasion, each and every swimmer rose to the occasion, contributing to a wonderful team performance that all but matched the “glory days” of 2017/2018 when as West Midland runners-up, Worcester qualified for the hugely prestigious National finals in Cardiff
The final points were Repton School 354, Coventry 266, Worcester 236, Derby 223, Leamington 220, Redditch 215, Belper 164 and Solihull 156
Such was the standard of competition – the powerful Repton School squad dominating – that only Tarek Bluck (13/under 100m Butterfly) managed a first-place finish, showcasing his immense talent and even greater potential in real style
Tarek also managed 2nd in the 100m Freestyle but there were a handful of other very impressive 2nd place finishes too…notably from star swimmers James Hill (11/u 50m Butterfly), Pru Goodison (13/u 100m Butterfly), Grace Ryder (15/u 100m Breaststroke), Grace Earp (Open 100m Breaststroke), Sam Hall (Open 100m Breaststroke) and Ben Gooch (Open 100m Freestyle)…but with Worcester claiming more 3rd, 4th and 5th place finishes than any of their opponents, it was consistency and strength in depth that saw the Club proudly home in Third overall
Without exception, every swimmer performed superbly, many producing Personal Best times and grabbing an extra point for the Club by getting the better of their rivals in close finishes
In so many ways, therefore, it was a typical Worcester team performance…united and determined, each swimmer fighting for every place…and a truly first-class team spirit on show throughout…the “Whoosh” was heard loud and often!
The full 35-strong team was Wren Goodison, Zoe Walsh, Lucy Piper, Jess Owen, Thea Pickstock, Prudence Goodison, Julia Wolska-Bailey, Mia Gooch, Xanthe Carrington-Abraham, Hana Duncan, Martha Colville, Asha Mahanta, Grace Ryder, Frankie Barry, Brecon Westwood, Bella Hoare, Alex Hayes, Grace Earp, Carmen West, James Hill, Freddie Preston, James Ashfield, James Walter, Logan Nicholls, Tarek Bluck, Toby Pugh, Lincoln Lewitzkyi, Robert Gearey, Dylan Lewis, Theo Rogers, Jack O’Connor, Jacob Cutler, Henry Hoare, Ben Gooch and Sam Hall…each and every one of them can be immensely proud of their achievements