The latest news from Halton swimmers competing at recent Local, Regional and National events.

BLDSA Wykeham Lake 2 Mile Championships  - Scarborough

Halton Swimmers Thomas and Sarah Roberts achieved a superb double in their latest open water swimming adventure.

 Taking on the British Long Distance Swimming Association Wykeham Lake 2 mile Challenge at Scarborough on Sunday June 9^th  Thomas convincingly won the Junior Gents 2 mile title whilst Sarah took the Junior Ladies 2 mile title in fine style for good measure. Clocking exceptionally fast times of 45.15 and 57.25 respectively in difficult conditions, Thomas and Sarah’s achievements in taking both titles contributed to their Open Water Swimming Club, Warrington Dolphins, taking the overall team title.

Pictured: Thomas and Sarah with their individual and team awards from the Wykeham Lake Championships.

ASA North West Regional Age Group Championships 2013, Manchester Aquatics Centre June 8^th & 9^th 2013

Congratulations to Will Woodward, Halton’s sole representative at the 2013 ASA North West Regional Age Group Championships held at Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Will qualified for no fewer than 8 events - 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle, 100m and 200m Backstroke, 100m and 200m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley. Across the 4 days of competition, Will posted an incredible 6 new long course personal best times, finished in the top 20 of each event and narrowly missed reaching the top 8 final of the 200m Breaststroke by a fraction of a second. This was a fantastic experience and just the right preparation for the 2014 event. Well Done Will.

PP. Neil F

The National Deaf Swimming Championships 2013 25^th May 2013, Loughborough University ITC

Halton’s GB Swimmer Luke Nisted came away with a sensational 4 Silver medals at the British National Deaf Swimming Championships (50m Long Course) held at Loughborough University Intensive Training Centre in Leicestershire on Saturday 25^th May 2013.

Luke took silver in the 50m and 100m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke events reducing  his personal best times for 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle during the championships and looks to be in fine form ahead of travelling out to the Deaflympics in Sofia this summer. In his fifth event, 50m Freestyle, Luke just missed out on the medals coming home 4^th in a time right on his personal best for that event.

With the championships being held at Loughborough ITC Luke got the chance to pick up some hints and tips from the current GB squad just back from their Cyprus training camp and in attendance for Intensive training ahead of the British Championships when they are looking to achieve qualification for the World Championships in Barcelona in July.

Pictured : Luke at Loughborough ITC with Olympian and GB swimmer Backstroker,  Liam Tancock.

Swim Conwy Whitsun Meet, Llandudno Swimming Centre, 25^th & 26^th May 2013

Halton sent a strong contingent to the Swim Conwy Whitsun Meet at Llandudno Swimming Centre over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend.

Once again there were lots of encouraging performances from the Halton Swimmers with plenty of medals and personal best performances to admire.

ASA North West Regional Finalist, 15 Year Old Thomas Roberts, fresh from his Championship winning Open Water Swim at Budworth picked up two excellent Silver Medals during  the Sunday session for the 100m and 400m Freestyle events. Thomas recorded excellent personal best times for both swims and clipped over a second off his 400m short course freestyle time.

Lisa Bazley picked up an excellent 2^nd place finish and deserved silver medal for a great personal best swim in the girls open 400m Individual Medley. Lisa reduced her personal best time for this event by almost 13 seconds.

13 Year Old Eleanor Donald produced a brilliant swim to knock almost 5 seconds off her previous best time and claim a Bronze medal in the girls 13 & 14 Years 200m Freestyle.

Apart from the medallists there were some excellent all round  performances.

Standing out was 11 Year old Leah Horabin who produced brilliant personal best times in all her events. With a 3 second Personal Best  in her 100m Backstroke swim and a 7 second PB in the 100m Breaststroke event , Leah followed this with further PB’s in the 50m Fly, 50m & 100m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke and 100m Individual Medley. Well done Leah.

Picture: Halton Squad who attended the Swim Conwy Whitsun Meet.

There were also personal best times for Nikita Jackson (50m Freestyle), Ellie - Jo Hughes (100m Fly, 200m Backstroke), Laura Gorry (100m Breaststroke), Eleanor Donald (50m Backstroke, 50m Fly, 100m, 200m  & 400m  Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley), Lisa Bazley (50m Fly & 50m Breaststroke), Ceris Breckell (50m Fly, 200m Breaststroke, 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley), Sarah Roberts (400m Freestyle), and Chloe Doolan (200m Freestyle). Jessica Donald also swam well in her selected events.

ASA North West Regional Age Group Championships 2013, Manchester Aquatics Centre June 1^st & 2^nd 2013

Halton’s sole representative in this years ASA North West Regional Age Group Championships is 12 Year Old Will Woodward. Over the years, Halton have never been particularly strongly represented at the Regional Age Group Championships. This is due to the fact that the training plans are geared to longer term development and therefore we tend to see more qualifiers at Youth and Open level. However, Will has broken the trend this year and has qualified for no fewer than 9 events - a truly excellent achievement.

The Championships are spread over the first two weekends in June and are held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre. On the first Weekend Will competed in the 100m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley with a further 5 events planned for week 2.

After the first weekend, Will has done himself and the club pround as he posted new Long Course Personal Best Times for his 100m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley and just missed out on a new lowest time in the 100m Breaststroke.

Well done Will, roll on Week 2.

PP. Neil F

The latest news from Halton swimmers competing at recent Local and National events.

Wigan Wasps Swimming Club Level 3 Starter Meet 19^th May 2013, Wigan Life Centre, Wigan

Halton took a strong team to the first Wigan Wasps Level 3 Starter Meet at the new Wigan Life Centre Pool on Sunday 19^th May 2013.

It proved to be a very successful event with plenty of medals and a huge number of new personal best times set during the course of the meet.

10 Year Old Daniel Buckley had the most successful day with 6 Gold Medals and 2 Silver medals to show for a series of outstanding swims.

Daniel took gold in the 50m and 200m Breaststroke, 100m Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke, 50m and 200m Freestyle events and followed up with two silver medals in the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Fly to complete an impressive 8 medal haul. Daniel set new personal best times in the 100m & 200m Individual Medley, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m & 200m Freestyle with an 8 second reduction in Daniel’s previous best for the 100m IM being the outstanding performance.

Daniel wasn’t the only Halton swimmer to strike Gold and come away with multiple medals and an impressive set of results. 13 Year Old Beth Reid took a superb Gold medal in the 100m Breaststroke with a new personal best time and followed this with two excellent Bronze medals for third place finishes in the 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke both in excellent new personal best times. Beth also just missed a medal in the 200m Individual Medley in finishing 5^th.

There were further Gold medals for Halton as 12 Year Old Zahra Groves won the 200m Breaststroke in a new personal best time. Zahra also claimed a brilliant silver medal for a second place finish in the 100m Freestyle also in a new personal best time. Meanwhile Eleanor Sims also took Gold winning the 13 Years 200m Breaststroke in an exceptional personal best time some 37 seconds inside her previous standard for this event.

Continuing the Gold standard, Lizzie Bryce won the girls 12 years 50m Fly in a new personal best time and Issy Winckles won the girls 50m Backstroke event also in a new personal best time.

12 Year Old Richard Houghton earned an excellent silver medal in the 50m Breaststroke whilst there were Bronze medals for 10 Year Old Ami Mannion in the 200m Breaststroke lowering her previous best time for this event by 28 seconds brother Joe Mannion claimed a bronze in the Boys 13 years 100m Freestyle also in a new Personal Best time. 12 Year Old Ben Lovell claimed a great Bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke event in a new personal best time.

Just missing out on medals with 4^th place finishes were Sam Clayton (Boys 10 Years 50m Breaststroke), Lizzie Bryce (Girls 12 Years 50m Freestyle), Ben Lovell (Boys 12 Years 50m Freestyle), Elanor Sims (Girls 13 Years 100m Breaststroke) and Richard Houghton (Boys 12 Years 100m Breaststroke).

New personal best times were achieved by Sam Clayton, Lauren Galligan, Maddy Lea, Emmie Brownlow, Vicky Houghton, Taylor Tout, Daniel Brownlow, Naomi Petch, Lucy Harris, Ellie Harrison, Daisy Marsh and Ben Woodward.

Picture: Halton Squad at the Wigan Wasps Level 3 Starter Meet.

An excellent meet for all competing, well done.

Independent Schools Association  National Swimming Championships 2013, 18^th May Coventry International Pool, Coventry

Two Halton Swimmers gained National recognition as they represented their school and region at the recent Independent Schools Association National Swimming Championships in Coventry.

Having negotiated a tough qualifying competition representing their school, Tower College in Rainhill, 11 Year Old Ellie Jo Hughes and 15 Year Old Laura Gorry were selected to represent the North Region at Coventry International Pool in the National Finals. The North Region were competing against London West, The Midlands, East Anglia, London South, South West and London North in the seven region competition.

Both girls acquitted themselves well with Ellie Jo achieving 2 new Long Course Personal Best times for the 50m Fly and 50m Freestyle events whilst Laura also claimed a new Long Course Personal Best time for the 100m Backstroke. The girls competed individually and in the medley and freestyle relay events.

Laura helped the North to finish winners in the Year 9 & 10 Competition whilst Ellie-Jo’s efforts boosted the North to 4^th Place in the Year 7 Girls Competition.

Warrington Dolphins Long Distance Swimming Club, Budworth Mere Open Water Championships 2013 at Budworth 25^th May 2013

Two Halton swimmers put in outstanding performances to take both the Junior 2 mile Championships at the recent 19^th Warrington Dolphins LDSC Budworth Mere Championships held over the spring bank holiday weekend.

Swimming for home club Warrington Dolphins, 15 Year Old Thomas Roberts claimed the Junior Gents 2 mile Championship for the second year running posting an impressive 40 minutes and 54 seconds for the 2 mile swim in what was an excellent improvement on the 41 minutes and 14 seconds posted in winning the same event in 2012. Joining Thomas on the podium and roll of honour for the Championships was 13 Year Old sister Sarah Roberts who claimed the Junior Ladies 2 Mile Championship in 54 minutes 10 seconds.

Well done both, an excellent start to the Open Water Swimming Season.

Joe Reid finished 5^th in the Gentlemen’s 1 Mile event.

Pictured: Thomas and Sarah Roberts with their awards following their Championship winning swims at Budworth.

PP. Neil F

Warrington SC Festival Invitation Gala 28^th April 2013 Orford Neighbourhood Hub, Warrington

Halton SC took the opportunity to field two teams in the recent Warrington Swimming Club Festival Invitation Trophy Gala at the new Orford Pool in Warrington.

It proved to be a excellent afternoon’s swimming as the Halton teams took 1^st and 2^nd places overall in an exiting 7 team Gala to reclaim the Trophy. It was an exceptionally strong performance by both Halton Teams as they claimed 33 Individual 1^st Place Finishes between them and in 14 of those events captured a 1^st and 2^nd place finish.

In what was an outstanding club performance it would be unfair to single out individual swimmers so a big well done and thank you to the whole squad who took part.

Halton Squad:

Sam Clayton, Joshua Howard-Hughes, Daniel Brownlow, Ami Mannion, Jessie Stritch, Sam Craig, Ryan Sanders, James Williams, Ellie Jo Hughes, Leah Horabin, Megan Weigand, Grace Leather, Matty Sayle, Tom Craig, Joe Mannion, Owen Price, Sarah Roberts, Elanor Sims, Amy Steele, Thomas Roberts, Mason Inman, Eleanor Donald, Zahra Groves, Vicky Houghton, Mollie Stritch, Paddy Clegg, Courtney Price, Laura Gorry, Ali Steele. Taylor Tout, Ben Woodward, Jack Gallimore, Maisie Wellock, Cliodna Jennions, Lucy Harris, Emmie Brownlow, Dan Buckley, Reece Sumner, Richard Houghton, Maddie Lea, Sophie Patton, Skye Marsh, Naomi Petch, Will Woodward, Joseph Ware, Ben Lovell, Tom Atchison, Lizzie Bryce, Issy Winckles, Lauren Galligan, Lewis Perry, Jamie Catharell, Beth Reid, Ceris Breckell, Lisa Bazley, Sophie Cameron, Tom Patton, Ian Larsson, Erin Mitchell, Nikita Jackson.

 Overall Result:  1^st Halton SC Blue 306; 2^nd Halton SC Green 284; 3^rd Swinton ASC 225; 4^th Ashton Central SC 186; 5^th Warrington SC A 165; 6^th Newton Le Willows 151; 7^th Warrington SC B 41.

City of Manchester Aquatics Manchester Level 1 Long Course Open Meet 2013, 11^th - 12^th May , Manchester Aquatics Centre

Halton Swimmers were amongst the medals at the recent high quality City of Manchester Level 1 Long Course Open meet held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Pictured: Will Woodward, Tom Craig, Nikita Jackson & Alison Steele.

A number of Olympians and British International Swimmers were present as part of their warm up programme ahead of the forthcoming British Championships and for those Halton swimmers who took part it was a great experience to swim alongside Elizabeth Simmonds, Siobhan- Marie O’Connor, Chris Walker- Hebborn and Joe Roebuck amongst others.

Top Halton performer was 12 Year Old Will Woodward who picked up three medals with a brilliant Silver in the 50m Backstroke and two well deserved Bronze Medals for third place finishes in the 200m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle. Will also narrowly missed out on further medals in the 50m Breaststroke and 100m Breaststroke being just pipped in to 4^th Place in both events. To complete an excellent meet for Will he achieved personal best times in the 50m,100m & 200m Breaststroke, 50m & 200m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. Will reduced his 200m Breaststroke time by over  10 seconds.

13 Year Old Tom Craig picked up a Silver Medal for a superb swim in the 50m Breaststroke in a new personal best time. Nikita Jackson completed the Halton medal haul with an outstanding Bronze medal in the Girls 16 years 50m Breaststroke. Nikita also achieved a brilliant personal best time in the 100m Breaststroke in finishing 6^th.

Alison Steele also had an excellent meet with a new personal best time in the girls 14 years 100m Freestyle.

Well done all.

Crusader Swimming League - Division 3 Round 3 at Buxton 12^th May 2013

Halton consolidated 2^nd Position in the Crusader League Third Division with a strong display in the Round 3 Gala at Buxton Swimming and Fitness Centre on Sunday 12^th May 2013.

In an excellent all round team performance, Matty Sayle grabbed two individual wins in the Boys 12 & Under 50m Fly and 50m Backstroke events whilst Daniel Buckley followed suit with a double in the Boys 10 & Under 50m Breaststroke and 50m Backstroke. There were also superb individual wins for Lizzie Bryce (Girls 12 & Under 50m Fly), Ben Lovell (Boys 12 & Under 50m Freestyle), Richard Houghton (Boys 12 & Under 50m Breaststroke), Sam Craig (Boys 10 and Under 50m Freestyle) and Thomas Roberts (Boys Open 100m Freestyle).

The Boys 10 and under Relay team of Reece Sumner, Sam Craig,  Sam Clayton and Dan Buckley took both Medley and Free events in the age group as did the Girls 12 and under Relay team of Lizzie Bryce, Issy Winckles, Amy Steele, Zahra Groves and Ellie-jo Hughes. The Boys 12 and Under Relay Team of Ben Lovell, Matty Sayle, Richard Houghton, with Sam Craig and Dan Buckley swimming up an age group also won both their events. The Boys Open Medley Relay team of Paddy Clegg, Tom Craig, Thomas Roberts and Luke Nisted won their event as did the Boys 14 and Under Medley Relay Team of Joseph Ware, Lewis Perry, Tom Craig and Matty Sayle.

Personal Best times were achieved by Luke Nisted (Open 100m Individual Medley), Lizzie Bryce (12 & Under 50m Fly), Jessica Burton (10 & Under 50m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle), Cliodhna Jennions (10 & Under 50m Fly), Reece Sumner (10 & Under 50m Fly), Issy Winckles (14 & Under 50m Back), Richard Houghton (12 & Under 50m Breaststroke), Thomas Roberts (Open 100m Freestyle), Ellie - Jo Hughes (12 & Under 50m Backstroke), Lisa Bazley (Open 100m Breaststroke), Luke Nisted (Open 100m Breaststroke), Sam Craig (10 & Under 50m Freestyle), Emmie Brownlow (10 & Under 50m Backstroke), Dan Buckley (10 & Under 50m Backstroke), and Ben Lovell (12 & Under 50m Freestyle).

PP. Neil F

British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA)

Pictured: Thomas & Sarah Roberts at the BLDSA St Mary’s Loch swim.

The Elise Brook Trophy Winner - Thomas Roberts - Halton SC 

Halton SC swimmer Thomas Roberts has picked up an outstanding achievement award from the British Long Distance Swimming Association at their recent annual awards ceremony. The awards were presented at the BLDSA Annual Dinner which was held at The Woodlands Hotel, Dundee, on Saturday 9th March 2013.

Thomas picked up the Elise Brook Trophy. This trophy is presented by the association to recognise an outstanding swim by a BLDSA member as a Junior during the year as an individual effort or within a championship without receiving an award from that championship.

The Citation for Thomas reads as follows:

For a great effort at St Mary’s Loch, thwarted by the weather, on the return leg, where the wind was a problem for swimmer and kayaker alike. Battling against the elements and pausing on several occasions to wait for his kayaker he was losing body heat and eventually had the sense to retire whilst still able to assist himself. A very mature decision by a young man, retiring for the safety of himself and his kayaker without complaint, especially as he had been beating most of the senior swimmers at this point. Not being deterred by this he is chomping at the bit for 2013.

Well Done Thomas

Pictured: the Elise Brook Trophy

Merseyside  & District Swimming League 2013 Division 1 Gala 4 at Crosby Leisure Centre 23^rd March 2013

Halton SC’s battle against relegation from the Merseyside and District Junior Swimming League 1^st Division suffered another blow with a 5^th Place Finish at the recent Round 4 gala at Crosby Leisure Centre.

Halton struggled throughout against tough competition from Everton SA, Garston SC, Prescot SC and home team Crosby SC and finished 5^th in the 5 team gala leaving the team 42 points adrift at the foot of the table with just the home gala to come at Kingsway in June.

Despite the disappointing overall team result there were some excellent individual efforts. Ellie Jo Hughes won the girls 25m Fly and took an excellent 2^nd in the 50m Freestyle. Tom Craig won the Boys 13 Years 50m Breaststroke and Craig Langley won the Open Boys 100m Freestyle. Craig also picked up 2^nd place in the 50m Fly event. James Flaherty claimed 2^nd place in the Boys Open 100m Breaststroke, Daniel Buckley was 2^nd in the Boys 11 years 50m Breaststroke and Thomas Roberts picked up two 2^nd place finishes in the Boys 15 years 50m Fly and 50m Freestyle.

The Boys Open Medley and Freestyle relay teams of Will Warburton, Craig Langley, Tom Patton, Luke Nisted and James Flaherty won both events.

There were personal best times for Dan Buckley (50m Breaststroke), Lizzie Bryce (50m Fly),  Matty Sayle (50m Fly and 50m Back), Ellie -Jo Hughes (50m Freestyle), Isobel Winckles (50m Backstroke), Will Woodward (50m Backstroke), Ceris Breckell (50m Breaststroke) and Craig Langley (50m Fly).

Crusader Swimming League 2013 Division 3 Round 2  

Halton’s home gala in the Crusader Swimming League Division 3 Round 2 on Saturday 23^rd March 2013 was cancelled due to the heavy snow fall. Despite Kingsway being open for business, the appalling weather meant that Buxton SC and Market Drayton SC were unable to travel.

An alternative date is being sought.

PP.  Neil F

EFDS National Youth Disability Swimming Championships 2013

Ponds Forge, Sheffield 3^rd March 2013

Halton’s GB Deaf swimmer, Luke Nisted, achieved a superb 6 medal haul at the recent National Youth Disability Championships at the Ponds Forges ITSC in Sheffield over the weekend of 2^nd and 3^rd March 2013.

Luke is currently in heavy training preparing for his first Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria and those preparations appear to be on right on target as Luke picked up 4 Gold medals, a Silver and a Bronze. Luke achieved first place in the 50m and 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke and the 100m Individual Medley events. Luke set a new personal best of 1.05.68 in the 100m Backstroke lowering his previous time by 1.1 seconds. Other new personal best times followed as Luke took silver in the 200m Individual Medley and Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke. Well done Luke.

Pictured: Luke receiving one of his Gold Medals at Sheffield.

City of Birmingham Swimming Club Easter Open Meet

Stetchford Pool, Birmingham  29^th March 2013

Thomas Roberts took a superb Gold Medal and achieved another ASA North West Regional Youth Championship Qualifying time with an outstanding swim in the 1500m event at the City of Birmingham Easter Open Meet on Good Friday. Thomas reduced his previous best time for this event, achieved only a matter of weeks ago at the Liverpool and District Championships at Everton Park, by 45 seconds. An outstanding achievement. Top Stuff Tom.

Pictured: Thomas with his Gold medal at Birmingham.

AIB Tigers Swimming Club (Jersey) 4 Way Easter Meet

Les Quinnevais Sports Centre7^th April 2013

15 Year Old Halton Swimmer Laura Gorry took advantage of some splendid hospitality whilst on holiday in Jersey by swimming as a guest at the recent AIB Tigers Swimming Club annual 4 Way Easter Meet at the Les Quinnevais Sports Centre in the town of St Brelade on the Channel Island of Jersey.

Swimming as a guest meant that Laura was unable to claim any silverware but she had the satisfaction of knowing that she posted the fastest times in the 400 Individual Medley, 50m Breaststroke and 100m Backstroke events. In addition, Laura posted a 9 second personal best in the 400m IM and a 2 second PB in the 50m Breaststroke. Well done, Laura.

PP. Neil F