Dont put a limit on anything. The more you dream the further you get. Michael Phelps.
The Arc Leisure Centre, Matlock, 8th February 2020
A blended team of experience and debutants took the winter evening drive along the A6 to the highly impressive Matlock ARC Leisure Centre. Some more experienced kids helped some nervous and excited kids find their feet in this friendly gala last night – in total we had 28 swimmers taking part last night all aged between 8 and 11 – 10 of whom made their BASC debut
8 lanes and an away gala was the setting for Edward Williams, Thomas Hollis, Jack Thomas, Oliver Nightingale, Daniel Clamp, Maddie Smith, Rebecca Pardoe, Freya Ordish, Sienna Moss and Ava Bennett to make either their debut – all did amazingly well and gained experience alongside Edward Frost, Seb Jones, Joe Mills, Daniel Spiers, James Williams, Oli Mitchell, Josh Cooper, Yuri Oliferuks, Jess Ulyett, Molly Hull, Blythe Wroughton, Issy Reid, Chloe Clamp, Evie Harvey, Freya Smith, Olivia Standley, Georgia Hanstock and Emily Copley that will help when the League starts in March.
The format of this gala is that each age group had individual races over 25m or 50m, but that every event was ran twice – so two girls then two boys did each individual event – this gave us the chance to give more individual races than normal – and with the gala being a speeding ticket event we picked a team that would need to do a PB to ‘speed’ – which meant many got new strokes or distance for experience
With all 8 lanes being used it was clear from early on that the gala was going to be won between the 5 teams – with Burton in that mix from the start – and Ripley, Derby, Swadlincote and Matlock pushing us for the prize of winners on the night. With even the relays having a cut off time we consistently swam within a fine margin on the time but secured 35 new PB times and a lot of smiles as we went through the 55 events.
10 First places:-
Rebecca Pardoe – 25m back
Chloe Clamp – 25m breast
Seb Jones – 25m breast
Josh Cooper – 50m fly – speeding ticket time
Jess Ulyett – 25m free
Ava Bennett – 25m back
Oli Mitchell – 25m back
Olivia Standley – 50m breast – speeding ticket time
Daniel Spiers – 50m breast – speeding ticket time
Sienna Moss – 25m fly
10 Second Places:-
Daniel Clamp – 25m free
Georgia Hanstock, Freya Smith, Emily Copley and Sienna Moss – 50m medley relay
Sienna Moss – 25m breast
Oli Mitchell, Yuri Oliferuks, James Williams and Josh Cooper – 50m free relay
Olivia Standley – 50m back – in speeding ticket time
James Williams – 50m back
Oliver Nightingale – 25m free
Freya Smith – 50m breast
Blythe Wroughton – 25m fly
Yuri Oliferuks – 50m free
Daniel Spiers – 50m free
12 Third Places:-
Ava Bennett – 25m free
Issy Reid – 25m Free
Molly Hull – 25m back
Yuri Oliferuks – 50m back
Jess Ulyett – 25m breast
Edward Frost – 25m breast
Emily Copley – 50m fly
Oli Mitchell – 50m fly
Blythe Wroughton – 25m back
Daniel Spiers – 25m back
Edward Frost, Edward Williams, Jack Thomas and Oliver Nightingale – 25m free relay
Molly Hull, Seb Jones, Jess Ulyett, Daniel Clamp, Olivia Standley and Yuri Oliferuks – cannon
The final result was:-
Position | Team | Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Burton | 284 |
2 | Matlock A | 264 |
3 | Ripley Rascals | 228 |
4 | Swadlincote Dolphins | 216 |
5 | Hucknall | 206 |
6 | Rykneld | 186 |
7 | Derby Phoenix | 175 |
8 | Matlock B | 138 |
So another amazing night for the Burton team – the 3rd win in 4 attempts in this annual gala – our 41st win since 2014 guaranteeing the 7th successive year with at least
one gala win for the club!!!!!
– JOINT STAR SWIMMERS – Rebecca Pardoe, Sienna Moss and Ava Bennett – all winning races on their debuts for the club – all nerves overcome and smiles at the end of all races
– JOINT STAR RACE – Olivia Standley (2), Josh Cooper and Daniel Spiers for gaining speeding times with great swims all over 50m
– 37 PB times and only 2 DQs
– The kids making their debuts all did it with great technique and smiles
– The TEAM SPIRIT – we had the noisiest support from our kids for the friends who were racing in every event – while swimming is seen at times as an individual support the team spirit we are lucky to have at the club is what helped us win this gala last night
Massive thank you to Helen Williams who travelled to officiate this event and therefore ensuring it happened – to Brian Newbold and Andy Hiatt for coaching and advising the kids on the night – to the poolside team of Paul, Rachel and Emily and swimmers Georgia Ulyett and Lana Clamp for sending the kids and helping them on relays – and to the timekeeping from Lee and Jenny – without parental help we cannot help the kids reach their potential so thank you once again – and to the parents who travelled despite the potential forecast of high winds and cheered all our kids on once again.
Well done everyone!!!!