Disability Results

DSE National Junior Swimming Championships 08

What a fantastic weekend Oliver Hedgley [S8], Olivia Abbot [S13], Evie Edwards [S5] and Ryan Crouch [S10] have all had in Sheffield at Ponds Forge.

They each made valuable contributions towards ASA East Region winning the team event, as well as achieving great things personally.

Session One

Evie [S5] got off to a good start in the very first event of the championships – S1 – S5 25m backstroke. Her strong leg kick has come back with a vengeance and helped achieve a time that was 10 seconds faster than in November and now only 1 second off her PB. This felt great! Gold45.72

Oliver [SB7] was next to compete, 50m breaststroke. He began with a brilliant dive off the block [first experience] and remembered to stretch out with every stroke. A 17 second PB was his reward!

Gold1.13.02

Evie [SB4] was then back in the pool for her 50m breaststroke heat. Even though she continued to speed along on the second length she was unable to match her PB at the Regional Championships, but was still 6 seconds faster than her January PB, therefore being eligible for a medal. Gold1.33.65

Olivia [SB13] responded to the coaches question about how she thought her 50m breaststroke swim had gone; “I thought I did well!’. He agreed and a 2 second PB backed that up.

[Olivia missed out on a silver medal as the minus one rule meant that only gold was presented.]1.07.47

Oliver [S8] was back in the water for 100m freestyle. His dive did not go so well the second time around. The swimmers were held a long time on the blocks, as there were some real fidgets in his heat, and he was unable to keep himself steady. But …….. the rest of the swim went well and he completed in a time of 1.50.04 – 14 seconds faster than his entry time, but not quite as fast as swum at the Regional Championships in February.

Session Two

Oliver [S8] had a disaster warm-up concerning backstroke, hitting his head on the wall at every turn! He turned this around in the 50 race, but his speed had gone. Bronze1.15.24

Olivia [S13] just scraped a PB with the narrowest of margins, 3 100ths of a second! Her straight lines are improving all the time and she only visited the lane rope 10m off the start.

[Bronze position, but once again minus one rule applied]1.00.09

Evie [SM5] competed in a 100 IM event for the second time and achieved a 22 second PB, so was rather chuffed!! The double-arm pull for backstroke proved a very positive change to her technique.

Gold3.40.69

Evie [S5] had to go and report immediately for her next event – 25m freestyle – which was not too positive on the swim time, but all good experience! Evie elected to swim backstroke.Gold52.52

Olivia [SB13] was the last to compete in the afternoon – 100m breaststroke. Her dive went brilliantly [introduced to diving off a block this weekend] and the swim looked good with stretch and glide but …….. something went wrong at either the 1st or 3rd turn as she was DQ. 2.33.15

Session Three

Oliver [S8] had to begin another session with backstroke, this time over 100m. As each turn was executed successfully, his confidence grew, which was great to see. Maybe if it had been a 200m backstroke swim he would also have got to achieve a PB. Never mind, at least his head was not hurting today!2.33.55

Olivia [S13] got back to her PB mode in 100m backstroke. She moved most effectively over the water and made the most of the last length. [Once again silver position with an 11 second PB, but the minus one rule!]2.08.81

Evie [S5] competed over 25m for the last time, in butterfly. I was there once again, making the block dry for the next swimmer, as I acted as Evie’s ‘starting device’! Her body position was much higher in the water throughout the race and her leg kick much closer.44.11

Oliver [S8] got to enjoy success again in his final race, 50m freestyle. The approached adopted at the block worked successfully and enabled him to be steady for the start, the full turn worked as planned with a fast approach and he led the race all the time – yes! Another 2 seconds off since February, and 8 seconds since January!47.41

Evie [S5] also finished with a PB. This time she elected to swim breaststroke for 50m freestyle and to start in the water. She looked very relaxed as she swam a 2 second PB!Gold1.30.82

Olivia [S13] also ended on a PB in 50m freestyle. Her dive was confident and she now looks like she can dive off a block! She was able to retain a longer stroke over both lengths and keep along a line. How great to end the weekends racing on a 6 second PB! [Bronze position with the minus one rule applying]50.53

Disabled Sports Personality of the Year

teamipswich Swimming disability session swimmers made a clean sweep of the ‘Green Thumb Suffolk Coastal Sports Awards 2008’ Disabled Sports Personality of the Year.

The three families had a fantastic evening on Sunday 24th February at The Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge where local sports people were spotlighted for their achievements in sport during 2007.

Winner:Oliver Hedgley

Commended:Grace Hill

Elise Martin de-la-Torre