Senior, intermediate and junior teams perform well in ESSA relays qualifying
The Hurst Swimming Squad performed superbly in the recent West Sussex qualifying round of the ESSA National Relays, held at The Pavilions in Horsham.
Hurst were amongst 19 schools from the West Sussex region competing to secure a qualifying spot for the national finals, so there was much at stake for our teams. With 12 different events – Hurst being represented in each one – there was never a dull moment, with much cheering and support to encourage our teams to secure the fastest possible times.
Our senior girls’ team of Alice R, Amelia E, Abby L and Sophie M, literally got us off to a swimming start by winning their heats in both the 4x50m freestyle and the 4x50m medley relays. Our senior boys were up against some very fierce competition however, Ben W, Alex C, Luke W and Thomas Y represented the college well in the medley relay, then Will R stepped in to join the team in the freestyle version.
The intermediate boys were hugely disappointed to be disqualified in the medley event, which spurred the determination of Charlie R, Max A, Ronan D and Joss C to give their best effort in the freestyle relay, where they finished a creditable third in their heat.
Our junior teams were keen to step up to the challenge of competing in the ESSA qualifiers for the first time. The boys, Jack F, Jacob W, Morten D and Luca C-F, and the girls, Eloise A, Esme D, Eryn C and Grace S – in the freestyle event – and Isabella R, Grace, Eloise and Esme – in the medley version – produced some encouraging performances.
Team of the day went to our intermediate girls. In the 4x50m freestyle, Hannah R, Maddy L, Alice B-H and Millie F all put in split times of 30 seconds or under, with a very impressive final leg of 28.3 seconds from Millie. As if that wasn’t enough Millie, Bella P, Alice and Hannah produced another stand-out combined effort in the 4x50m medley. Not only did they win both heats, but they were also the fastest team overall in their events.
“We now wait with anticipation to see if their times are fast enough to qualify for the national finals which will be held at the London Olympic Aquatic Centre on 16th November. Fingers crossed!” Charlotte Baldwin, Swimming Coach.