Swimming: Profitable trips for Stowmarket teams



Jess Long: A busy time at Thetford saw her in seven races.

Split locations for the Winter League second leg failed to upset Stowmarket Swimming Club as they returned with a first and second place.

The A team gained 12 personal best times on their way to victory in Bungay, while the B team chalked up 15 when they finished second at Thetford.
The A team started their gala in style with Chloe Long coming home second in the 11u 50m backstroke inside her previous best by a second (38.47). Alex Harrison repeated the feat, inside his PB by a second (39.88).
It was a similar story over at the B team gala with Cally Pickering finishing the 11u 50m backstroke in second place with a one-second PB (39.99). This was followed by Thomas Jordan Pierce gaining third, also inside his previous best.

This form continued with the next three swimmers all setting new best times Harriet Smith knocked nearly two seconds from her time in 12/13 100m breast down to 1.33.92, Calvin Coe beat his time by three seconds 12/13/ 100 breast – 1.26.02, and Jess knocked three seconds off her 100 free in the 14/15 age group (1.14.71).

Alex Harrison: Chalked up
two personal best times.

This form carried through with Tamsin Fisher, Ryan Clay, and Roma, Elysia Golding, Mikey Fisher, and Jess Beatty all swimming their fastest races. With Calvin and Jess Long turning in some excellent times – in Jess’ case a five-second PB in the 12/13 100m Fly 1.23.69.
It was the same in Bungay where Robert Lancaster gained two PBs in the 12/13 Breast (1.18.21) and 12/13 100m fly (1.16.00), Chloe Long matched her sister with a two-second PB in the 13/13 100m fly (1.31.93), Toby Upson shaved a second off 14/15 100m free (58.81) as did Hannah Champion 11u 50m free (34.25), Alex Harrison 11u 50m free (33.38). Ella Delves also had a good start knocking nearly three seconds off her best at the 100m Fly (1.13.84).
In the relays, the A team managed two first places and two seconds from four races. The B team came away with two second places, narrowly missing first by a fraction of a second.
The second half saw three PBs from the A team, two from Ellena Skoulding also getting a first and second position in the 12/13 100 back ((1.15.53),and 100 free (1.08.56), and a PB from Liam also in the 12/13 100 back (1.13.02)
B team PBs came from Ryan Clay, nudging inside his 100 Fly time, and Jess Long, knocking an impressive four seconds off her 100m Back (1.20.23)
The final relays saw the A team winning three of the four and only coming second in the other. The B team staged an impressive comeback to win the boys’ senior 50m free relay with Sean Harrison setting an excellent example by stepping up the pace to bring the team home in first.
Many swimmers swam in multiple races and special mention goes to Harriet Smith and Jess Long who both competed in seven races.