Loughborough Leisure Centre, 29th February 2020

Three years ago after a wait of around a decade Burton Amateur Swimming Club had returned to the top Division of the League following the Division 2 title being secured in 2016. The club did amazingly well to avoid relegation for the first time in their history in 2017 and which we built on in 2018. Amazingly in 2019 we made it to the grand final which to date in our 142 years of swimming is the highest team achievement for the club. So how would we go in a 4th consecutive year in the top flight? In round 1 we had come an amazing 3^rd in a tough field – so round 2 set us up to ensure we avoided a relegation gala but what else could we achieve?

The format of the league will see 18 teams split into 3 galas for the first two rounds – leading to the top 8 going into a final – the next 5 being in a gala – and the bottom 5 facing a gala that would see 3 relegated back for the 2021 season to division 2.

The draw saw us face Melton A who had won in round 1, hosts Loughborough who had come second in their gala, local rivals Swadlincote, and then Penguins and Braunstone C – so another tough draw!!!

Winter League debuts went to Ava Bennett, Sienna Miller, Sophie Sturman and Amelie Brown – with Katie Spooner swimming in her first winter league gala for BASC since the 2016 promotion gala at Rugby.

The format is 4 age groups are as at 31/12/20 and are age 11, 13, 15 and open – with the main changes being the addition of an Individual medley, the age 15 kids doing 100 fly not 50m. plus all the young kids doing 50m not 25m races.

4 First Places

Katie Spooner – 100m fly – age 15

Connor Small – 50m free – age 13

Ella Cooper – 100m back – age 15

Ella Cooper – 100m free – age 15

17 Second Places

Oliver Mitchell, Toby Durkan, Sam Benstead and Seb Jones – age 11 free relay

Ella Cooper, Charlotte Breeze, Rosie Bolton and Sophie Sturman – age 15 free relay

Georgia Ulyett, Issy Mills, Charlie Miller, Amelie Brown – age 13 free relay

Connor Small, Oliver Frost, Jasper Saunders and Dylan Mitchell – age 13 free relay

Katie Spooner – 100m breast  – age 15

Georgia Ulyett – 50m fly – age 13

Connor Small – 50m fly – age 13

Jonathan Stimpson – 50m breast  – age 11

Georgia Ulyett – 50m free – age 13

Charlie Miller – 50m back – age 13

Oliver Frost – 50m back – age 13

Lillie Hambleton – 50m free – age 11

Toby Durkan, Jonathan Stimpson, Seb Jones and Sam Benstead – age 11 medley relay

Katie Spooner, Ella Cooper, Charlotte Breeze and Sophie Sturman – age 15 medley relay

Charlie Miller, Rachael Greener, Georgia Ulyett and Issy Mills – age 13 medley relay

Oliver Frost, Jasper Saunders , Connor Small and Edan Maxwell – age 13 medley relay

Jack Ward, George Greener, Finley Brown and Matt Appelbee – open medley relay

13 Third Places

Matt Gates – 100m IM – open

Harrison Jones, George Preston, Maksims Parahonko and Edan Maxwell – age 15 free relay

Finley Brown, Jack Ward, George Greener and Matt Appelbee – open free relay

George Preston – 100m breast – age 15

Matt Gates – 100m free – open

Jack Ward – 100m back – open

Olivia Standley – 50m fly – age 11

Toby Durkan – 50m fly  – age 11

George Greener – 100m breast – open

Harrison Jones – 100m back – age 15

Rachael Greener – 50m breast – age 13

Finley Brown – 100m fly – open

Harrison Jones, George Preston, Maksims Parahonko and Edan Maxwell – age 15 medley relay

From the start it was clear that Melton A would take first place – Braunstone C struggling to finish higher than 5^th often – Burton and host Loughborough pushing each other for second place

Highlights :-

• STAR SWIMMER – Ella Cooper – 2 wins in our hardest league is a great achievement
• STAR RACE – The two age 11 boys relay races – both bringing home second place by Oliver Mitchell, Jonathan Stimpson, Seb Jones, Sam Benstead and Toby Durkan
• An amazing 30 PB times swam so soon after counties was fantastic – with only 2 DQ

Results after 51 races :-

So the club has earned 8 points for coming 3rd in both the first two rounds  and we now await the draw for the final set of galas on 21/3

Massive thanks go to:-

• the coaching team of Simon, Brian and Ian for all the advice and encouragement on the night
• Jo, Chris, Sean, Kate and Dave for the officiating and timing
• Karen and Wayne for the sending and looking after the swimmer’s poolside
• All the parents for once again taking time out of their busy weekends to travel and support the team