National Age Groups 2008 - Truro Swim Club

Truro Trio Perform at the Nationals ...

24th to 27th July 2008
Amelia Grigg swam herself in to the 100m Breaststroke Final for a second consecutive year as the Truro City girl trio impressed with their performances at Ponds Forge this week.

The impressive Ponds Forge International sports centre at Sheffield was the venue for the 2008 National Age Group Championships. The 600 mile round trip and chance to compete against the top swimmers in their age group was the reward for the qualifying swimmers from Truro City and their coaches.

First up on the opening day (Thursday) was Josie Williams competing in the 200 metres Freestyle. Although this was Josie's first national championships she did not let occassion get to her. Re-acting well out of the blocks she was placed second for most of the heat swimming a strong 150m and was just edged into 4th spot as the 50m pool took its toll leading into the final length. Nevertheless this was a great swim by the 13 year old giving her a new long course personal best for the event of 2.13.81.

Friday day 2 saw Amelia Grigg returning to Ponds Forge to compete in her second consecutive Age Group Championships. Competing again in the 100m Breaststroke an event where she finished in 8th position in last years 2007 final increased the stakes and the desire for the 12 year old. In a stroke where technique is key, Amelia swam the heat in a new long course personal best time of 1.19.13 to qualify in 7th position for her second consecutive 100m Breaststroke final.

Friday evening arrived and so did the tension as Amelia faced off in the final. After reacting well on the buzzer Amelia held her technique for the opening 50 metres and was only 3 tenths of a second behind the eventual winner at the turn, the final length saw some great swimming with Amelia finally finishing in a very ceditable 6th place, 2 positions better than her 2007 standing in a time of 1.19.64.

Day 3 on Saturday again saw Amelia competing, this time in the 200 metres Breaststroke. This event which is very demanding on the legs over 200 metres saw Amelia get off to a good start in her heat. However not even her team mates returning to the arena for their races could will her on to another final. Maybe affected by the euphoria of the day before or the demands of the 50 metre pool Amelia swam a steady heat in a time of 2.56.89 but she was dissappointed with her time due to the fact that it was 2 seconds off her personal best.

The final day on Sunday saw 2 girls representing the Club, Josie returning for her second event and Kay de Courcy competing in her first ever national championships. After a good warmup both girls were looking forward to the event which was expected to be fast and furious.

First up to swim was Kay, who having been placed in the first heat due to the qualification process waited patiently behind the blocks for the boys 400m freestryle to finish. This wait whilst increassing the antcipation of her first national swim, also served to increase the tension for the swimmer who had been showing great form in training. Re-acting out of the blocks Kay was first to the wall after the opening 50 metres and turned well for the home leg as the other swimmers battled to catch her, finishing strong in a time of 1.02.46 it was with disbalief and disappointment that the coaches and the swimmer saw her disqualifion appear on the giant score board. Seeking clarification by the coach the referees had called Kay for moving before the buzzer.

Having watched her team mate get disqualified Josie endured the wait before her heat contemplating her start out of the blocks. In a race that is fast and furious and where starts and turns are the difference between winning and losing, her coach wondered how she would re-act. As the buzzer sounded and the heat got underway it was clear that Josie was concentrating on her race. Swimming a strong first 50 metres she turned second on 29.94, it was then a case of digging deep for the final sprint. Holding off the rest of the heat Josie held on to second position swimming a new long course personal best for the event of 1.02.44.

The swimmers and travelling parents would like to thanks both Jane Deards (Head Coach) and Mike Rawbone (Team Manager) for their support at the championshps.

For the complete results click here.  

Once again Girls ... Well Done! you did yourselves and the Club proud!