Podium Places and PBs: Positive Performances at Rushmoor

There were medals, pbs, positive performaces, and a host of finals appearances from Newbury swimmers over the two-day Rushmoor Royals Level 2 Shortcourse Summer meet:

🥉 Emma – Bronze, 50m Breaststroke (Day 1)

🥉 Barnaby – Bronze, 50m Backstroke (Day 1)

🥉 Beth – Bronze, 50m Backstroke (Day 2)

🥇 Eloise – Gold, 100m Breaststroke Final (Day 2)

Finals: Barnaby (200m Back), Thomas (100m Back), Felix (100m IM), Freddie (100m Free), Eloise (100m Brst)

Day 1 Highlights

The weekend kicked off with a string of impressive swims. Alexis, Emma, and Eloise all achieved personal bests in the 50m Breaststroke, with Emma securing a bronze in her age group. In the 50m Backstroke, Kiran and Barnaby also posted PBs, Barnaby taking bronze and later qualifying for the 15 & over final in the 200m Backstroke.

Kiran and Evan achieved new best times in the 50m Freestyle, while Beth, Anna, Bethany, and Brooke turned in solid efforts in the 100m Backstroke. Rafferty showed great form in the 100m Butterfly, finishing 9th and narrowly missing out on a place in the junior final.

There were further PBs for Alexis, Emma, and Eloise in the 200m Breaststroke, with Eloise placing 4th after qualifying for the final, and Emma finishing as second reserve. Felix and Evan excelled in the 200m Freestyle, and both Rafferty and Kiran posted strong swims in the 100m Breaststroke. In the 100m Freestyle, Summer dropped an impressive 6 seconds to place 4th among 11-year-olds, while Evan also achieved a PB.

Reiss and Barnaby both did PBs in the 200m Backstroke, with Barnaby qualifying for the 15 & over final. Claudia and Grace improved their times in the 200m Individual Medley, while Felix, Kiran, and Rafferty all recorded PBs in the 100m IM. Felix progressed from reserve to final and delivered a great swim in his first ever final, just outside his heat time.

Emma and Claudia also wrapped up the session with PBs in the 50m Butterfly.

Day 2 Highlights

Day 2 saw continued strong performances despite the heat. Daniel and Felix started off with PBs in the 400m Freestyle, with Barnaby just outside his best. Beth earned a PB and a bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke. Anna, Beth, Brooke, and Bethany were close to their bests in the same event.

In the 50m Freestyle, Claudia, Grace, Brooke, and Lucy all swam well, close to their PBs. Thomas and Barnaby both achieved PBs in the 100m Backstroke, with Reiss just shy of his own recent best. Thomas made the 14 & under final, equalling his new PB and placing 7th.

Claudia swam a determined 100m Butterfly close to her PB, and later joined Grace and Brooke in strong 200m Freestyle swims. In the 100m Breaststroke heats, Emma and Eloise both performed well — Emma finishing as reserve for the final, and Eloise qualifying and ultimately winning the final with a new PB.

In the 100m Freestyle, Evan and Freddie both swam PBs, and Reiss also delivered a strong swim. Freddie went on to qualify for the 14 & under final and placed 7th after a brave swim.

Anna rounded off the 200m Backstroke events with a fantastic PB and 7th place finish, while Lucy and Bethany were just outside their bests. Felix recorded a PB in his 200m Individual Medley, and Freddie swam well, narrowly missing a PB of his own.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Huge thanks go to Becky, who supported the swimmers throughout every sweltering session, and to officials Chris, Jamie, and Steve for their vital contribution. Special appreciation also to Caitlin for her excellent organisation.

It was a fantastic weekend of racing, with our swimmers competing confidently among some of the fastest in the country. Well done to all!