The National Arena Swimming League 2011 - Halton Promoted to Division 1

In an outstanding team performance at Kendal on Saturday evening, we finished in 3^rd Position in the National Arena League North West Division 2 Final and earned promotion back to Division 1 in 2012.

Going in to the final in 4^th place having improved from 6^th after Round 1 we stepped up to the mark once again to grasp the last remaining Promotion Place in a tough and exciting gala in which every one present - Swimmers, Coaches, Poolside help and Supporters played their part. There weren’t many first places, but equally not many 6^th places either. Importantly, there were no DQ’s and whilst there weren’t many PB’s achieved on the night, we hung in there and made it happen despite not being at our best and having a couple of key swimmers missing. The fact that we have been asked to make the long trip to Kendal twice in this seasons competition makes our achievement even more impressive.

A special well done to those who won their events, Will Warburton, Men’s Open 100m IM, Luke Nisted Boys 15 & U 100m Back, Matty Sayle Boys 11 & U 50m Fly, Alison Steele Girls13 & U 50m Fly, Thomas Roberts Boys 13 & U 50m Fly. The Men’s Open Medley Relay Team of Will Warburton, James Flaherty, Andy Matthews and Ste Bailey also won in a close finish with Ste Bailey Hauling back the Wrexham team in the last two metres.

There were outstanding PB’s for Jess Donald Girls 15 & U 50m Back, Laura Gorry Girls 13 & U 50m Breaststroke, Luke Nisted Boys 15 & U 100m Back, Thomas Roberts Boys 15 & U 100m Fly, Chloe Doolan Girls 15 & U 100m Freestyle and Paddy Clegg Boys 15 & U 50m Back.

In the final reckoning, just as important as the 1^st Places and Pb’s to the final points total were all the places achieved by each and every swimmer and having no Dq’s meant everyone contributed not only on Saturday but throughout the league campaign when I can’t remember a single DQ. - A big well done for all of this Season’s National League Squad:

Ellie Newby, Will Warburton, Issy Winckles, Eleanor Donald, Beth Reid, Zahra Groves, Ellie -Jo Hughes, Amy Steele, Matty Sayle, Will Woodward, Harry Smith, Owen Price, Charlie Ball, Ben Lovell, Ceris Breckell, Laura Gorry, Chloe Doolan, Thomas Roberts, Simon Asai, Morgan Grady, Erin Mitchell, Sarah Roberts, Jessica Donald, Tom Patton, Paddy Clegg, Luke Nisted, Matty Marnell, Jamie Catharell, Tom Hough, Nikita Jackson, Stacey King, Lucy Wallbank, James Flaherty, Ste Bailey Tom Williams, Leanne Clarke, Sarah Lou Banner, Lucy Hale, Abbie Jenkins, Alison Steele & Matty Bannerman.

Final Result:

1^st Bebington SC  213 Pts, 2^nd Wrexham SC 201 Pts, 3^rd Halton SC 195 Pts, 4^th Chorley Marlins 163 Pts, 5^th Preston 154 Pts, 6^th Copeland SC 115 Pts.

Nationwide DSE National Short Course Championships 2011

Halton’s GB International Swimmer Luke Nisted returned from the DSE National Short Course Championships at Sheffield, Ponds Forge with an outstanding set of results, picking up Two Silver Medals, Three Bronze Medals and an excellent 3 second PB in the 200 IM.

Luke grabbed Silver in the 100m and 200m Individual Medley events to add to his three Bronze Medals at 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke and 100m Backstroke.

Well done Luke - a brilliant return.

The ASA North West Regional Open Winter Championships 2011

Halton had three representatives at the recent ASA regional championships held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

In the Men’s 50m Open Breaststroke James Flaherty entered ranked 12^th in the programme but an excellent swim in the heats saw him squeeze into the final in 8^th place. In the Final on Saturday afternoon James improved again to record a season’s best 31.82 to take 6^th Place overall.

In the same event, Tom Patton and Liam Sheeran both performed well and achieved Personal Best times.

The 100m Breaststroke Heats on Sunday saw James back in the pool to record 1.11.81 which unfortunately was not enough the make the Final.

Halton registered Craig Langley and Lucy Hale competed for the City of Liverpool SC at this Championship.

Howe Bridge Marlins 1500m Championships 2011

There was an outstanding double success for Halton as Thomas and Sarah Roberts each took first place in the recent Howe Bridge Marlins Swimming Club Distance Championships at 1500m.

The testing event over 64 lengths of the pool proved no problem to Sarah who took the Girls Junior Title in 25 Mins 12.16 whilst Thomas took the Junior Boys event in some style recording 19 Mins 44.95. Well done Thomas and Sarah - Pictured below proudly showing off their trophies.

Warriors of Warrington Percy Mason Memorial Gala 2011

Halton SC sent a strong contingent to the Warriors of Warrington Percy Mason Memorial Gala at Woolston on 3^rd & 4^th December 2011. There was some outstanding swimming across the weekend with superb Gold medal winning performances from the Halton squad. Leading the way was Thomas Roberts who returned with 5 Gold Medals in clinching the 13 Years 200m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 100m Fly, 200m Breaststroke & 200m Fly and added a Silver for 200m Breaststroke.

Amy Steele achieved a double gold in the 11 Years 50m and 200m Breaststroke events whilst Jessica Donald also doubled up with Gold in the 15 Years 200m Backstroke and 50m Fly. Jess also claimed a Silver in the 50m Backstroke and Bronze Medals in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle for an excellent weekend haul.

There were also Gold medals for Sarah Roberts in the 12 Years 50m Breaststroke, Alison Steele 12 Years 200m Fly, Nikita Jackson 14 Years 100m Freestyle, and Ellie Jo Hughes 10 Years 50m Fly,

Silver medals were won by Sarah Roberts 200m Fly, Courtney Price 13 Years 200m Breaststroke & 100m Backstroke, Alison Steele 100m Back, Ellie Jo Hughes 100m Fly, Joseph Ware 12 Years 50m Backstroke,  Nikita Jackson 50m Fly &  Ben Lovell 10 Years 50m Freestyle

Bronze Medals were achieved by Tom Hough 50m Fly & 50m Breaststroke, Nikita Jackson 50m Freestyle, Ceris Breckell 12 Years 50m Fly and Ellie Jo Hughes in the 200 IM.

Personal Best Times were recorded by Sarah Roberts, Ellie Jo Hughes, Amy Steele, Thomas Roberts, Eleanor Donald, Nikita Jackson, Jessica Donald, Ceris Breckell, Beth Reid and Joseph Ware.

Halton SC Fun Gala(s) 2011

Finally, don’t Forget the Fun - Kingsway Christmas Fun Gala, Monday 12^th December at 7.00pm and Runcorn Christmas Fun Gala Sunday 18^th December 6.45pm all welcome to both events.

Mr Dean has asked me to remind you that parents are welcome in the water for the Runcorn Event.

Christmas Training Arrangements for 2011

Arrangements for training over Christmas will be published shortly.

If you are in the Merseyside League squad for 7^th January 2012 you need to train between Christmas and the New Year. Further details on the way.

Thanks & Regards,

PP. Neil F