Huge congratulations to each and every one of the 18 Worcester swimmers who qualified for and competed at this year’s National summer meets
Star of the show was probably Tarek Bluck who absolutely smashed it at the Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships (top 24) making Final in 3 of his 6 events, and grabbing a stunning Gold medal in the 100 Free. Producing a fabulous 0.98s Personal Best Time in the Heats, he dropped a further 0.62s in the Final to record an incredible 53.11 for a 15-year old, taking top spot on the podium by a mere 0.02s!
Harry Chandler was in fine form too at the GB Next Gen meet. He had a tough schedule, racing every day, and consistently swam up to his own highest standards in each event. At the bottom of the double 17/18 age group, he navigated his way through the Heats into the Finals of the 400 Free plus both the 100 and 200 Butterfly, finishing 6th & 5th in those – top 3 for a 17-year old!
Also impressing at the GB Next Gen meet – and then again at English summer champs (next 24) – were 15-year old twins Joe and Lexi Agoston…
After a stunning swim in the 200m Individual Medley – knocking almost 4s off his PB – to claim 6th in the GB Next Gen Final, Joe continued that fine form in to the English meet where he collected a brilliant 2 Bronze medals in the 100 Free (54.97, a 1.7s PB) and 200 Breaststroke (2.31.62, a 7.4s PB!!), amazing
Sister Lexi wasn’t to be outdone though. After a challenging GB Next Gen Champs – not helped by receiving an almighty smack to the head in warm up before her #1 event, 200 Brst – she bounced back in some style at English. Having qualified for the 200m IM Final in an outside lane (9th), she dropped almost 3.5s to take a thoroughly deserved Silver medal with an incredibly gutsy swim
And the Club was able to celebrate one further medal to. At GB Next Gen, the ever reliable Matthew Redfern stormed to Silver in the Para Multi Class 50 Free. Whilst a tad off his PB – after a year mixing both swimming and rowing – it was a performance that augurs well ahead of his attempt to qualify for the England team for next year’s Commonwealth Games
But every single one of the swimmers performed with distinction:
- On the back of GCSE exams, Asha Mahanta swam beautifully and whilst a smidgen off PB, her skills and critically her attitude were as always exemplary
- Similarly, after their A levels, Bella Hoare, Grace Earp and Lewis Hickman can be very proud of their performances – great jobs all – and we certainly wish the girls well when they continue their swimming lives State side
- Club Captain Ben Gooch was just a tiny bit off his Best in most races but his 100m Fly (56.75, 0.4s PB) really caught the eye with a stonking final 25m
- At the open water, Lincoln Lewitzkyi enjoyed the best of it from a Worcester perspective, his 15-minute PB (!) from last year in the gruelling 5K reward for his dedication and hard work
- Whilst at English, very many congrataulations to Team mates Brecon Westwood and Grace Ryder who both made the Finals of the 17’s 50m & 100m Breaststroke (Brecon 6th/9th, Grace 9th/5th); both should be delighted with their performances notably Brecon’s 2s PB in the 100 and Grace coming oh so close [0.25s] to a Medal in the 50m sprint
- And finally a special shout out to both S.15 (deaf) swimmer Ellie Graham who made her debut at the England summer meet and Xanthe Carrington-Abraham who flew the Worcester flag solo down at the Welsh meet in Swansea; plus also Becky Redfern (English), Jaz Kilmartin (English) and Matt James (OW) for their qualification, a huge achievement in itself!!
Great job everyone – a massive “whoosh” from the whole Blue and Green army, we are all tremendously proud of your exceptional achievements 😊
Mark Stowe – Head Coach