AGE Nationals 2014
Over the past week Emily Ford competed at the National Age Championship up in Sheffield. Emily took part in the 100/200 Back and 100 Fly, all of which she manage to do a PB in. Emily's best placing was 11th in the 100 Back, just missing the final by 0.02. Emily should be congratulated on her efforts at her first national competition.
Emily and Amanda would like to thank all the AVSC members who sent their words of support to Emily.
Emily and Amanda would like to thank all the AVSC members who sent their words of support to Emily.
Wycombe Summer Meet - July 2014 |
Medallists |
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Max Bolcato
400 free 2nd 200 free 3rd 50 fly 2nd Cameron Bullock 200 free 3rd 100 back 3rd Simon Chester 100 free 3rd 100 back 2nd 50 fly 3rd Will Devetta 50 fly 1st Jessica kan 50 back 2nd |
Alice Martin
200 back 2nd 50 free 2nd 50 back 1st 200 IM 2nd 50 back 1st 200 free 3rd Nienke Lijenzka 100 breast 1st 50 back 2nd 50 free 2nd 100 breast 3rd 200 breast 1st 200 IM 1st 200 free 2nd 100 back 2nd Charlotte Rowley 100 breast 2nd Pippa Sayers 100 Breast 2nd |
CMK June Meet: AVSC Medalists
Well done to all the AVSC Swimmers who competed in the CMK June meet. Here are our medalists:
Saturday 21 June
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Sunday 22 June |
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Gold
-------- Leonie Watson 400m Free Leonie Watson 50m free Max Bolcato 100m Fly Zoe Lovibond 100m Free Max Bolcato 200m Fly Max Bolcato 50m Fly Luke Wilby 50m Back Silver --------- Luke Wilby 100m Fly Isabella Boyce Parr 100m Back Tappy Ross 100m Free Tappy Ross 50m Free Leonie Watson 100m IM Rhian Casey 200m Free Bronze ------------- Rhian Casey 400m Free Zoe Lovibond 100 back Isabella Boyce Parr 100m Free Millie Jackson 100m Free Lauren James 200 Im Isabella Boye Parr 50m Free Millie Jackson 50m Free Luke Wilby 100m Breast Zoe Lovibond 100 Im Millie Jackson 100 Im Zoe Lovibond 200 Free Emma Costello 400 IM |
Gold
-------- Daniel McNamara 400m Free Rhian Casey 100m Fly Millie Royal 100m Fly Luke Wilby 200IM Trudy Wheatley 200m Fly Max Bolcato 100IM Daniel McNamara 200m Breast Silver --------- Max Bolcato 400m Free Ella Pearce 100m Fly Pippa Sayers 50m Breast Max Bolcato 100m Free Rhian Casey 200m Back Luke Wilby 50m Free Leonie Watson 50m Fly Lauren James 50m Fly Millie Royal 50m Fly Luke Wilby 200m Free Isabella Boyce Parr 50m Back Jasmine Rennie 50m Back Bronze ------------- Trudi Wheatley 100m Fly Cordy Halfhead 200m Back Will Devetta 200m Free Leonie Watson 50m Back Rhian Casey 50m Back |
2nd Annual Vale Cup 21 June 2014
It was lovely weather and a warm midsummers day evening and the AVSC Green and Yellow teams rallied to take on Bicester Bluefins, City of Oxford and Swindon Dolphin for the 2nd Vale Cup.
Based on the Arena League sprint and relays format, this is a real team event and as usual gets a lot of swimmer and spectator involvement. Both Green and Yellow had their strengths with some fingertip finishes, but Yellow pulled ahead chasing a strong Swindon squad. The coaches didn't miss a beat getting the swimmers up for their events and no-one had a vacant event. It was great to see AVSC manage to field two full teams - many with their first taste of this format of gala.
The final event was the popular Squadron relay, an 8x50 mixed freestyle relay (swum in any order this time). The lead and other positions changing 4 times over the race between 3 different teams with the onlookers raising the roof. Results overall as follows with Swindon regaining the Cup for another year, and all teams having had a lot of fun.
Team. Points
AVSC Green. 115
Bicester. 128
Swindon. 203
Oxford. 116
AVSC Yellow. 159
Thanks also to the many officials, timekeepers and helpers who made the evening work - it really is appreciated and means we can run these gala events.
We'll do it all again next year.
Based on the Arena League sprint and relays format, this is a real team event and as usual gets a lot of swimmer and spectator involvement. Both Green and Yellow had their strengths with some fingertip finishes, but Yellow pulled ahead chasing a strong Swindon squad. The coaches didn't miss a beat getting the swimmers up for their events and no-one had a vacant event. It was great to see AVSC manage to field two full teams - many with their first taste of this format of gala.
The final event was the popular Squadron relay, an 8x50 mixed freestyle relay (swum in any order this time). The lead and other positions changing 4 times over the race between 3 different teams with the onlookers raising the roof. Results overall as follows with Swindon regaining the Cup for another year, and all teams having had a lot of fun.
Team. Points
AVSC Green. 115
Bicester. 128
Swindon. 203
Oxford. 116
AVSC Yellow. 159
Thanks also to the many officials, timekeepers and helpers who made the evening work - it really is appreciated and means we can run these gala events.
We'll do it all again next year.
Age group Regionals 2014 Part 2
Well done to all those who took part in the second weekend of the Age Group South East Regional Championships at K2 Crawley this past weekend.
11 year old Daniel McNamara was again in the medal - winning 2 Silvers in the 100 free and the 100 fly.
Maximillian Bolcato: 200 IM 2:50.86, 13th
Oliver Hodgson: 200 IM 2:48.07, 28th
Luke Wilby: 200 IM 2:36.98, 21st
Emily Ford: 200 IM 2:42.12, 11th
Alice Martin: 200 breaststroke 3:32.78, 27th (first regionals)
Emily Ford: 100 free 1:05.85, 9th
Yasmin Tajalli: 100 free 1:02.93, 7th
Daniel McNamara: 100 free 1:05.94, 2nd
Oliver Hodgson: 100 free 1:06.72, 18th
Luke Wilby: 100 free 1:03.25, 23rd
Yasmin Tajalli: 100 free 1:02.92, 5th
Daniel McNamara: 200 back 2:42.03, 4th
Maximillian Bolcato: 200 back 2:54.43, 28th
Oliver Hodgson: 200 back 2:43.10, 18th
Luke Wilby: 200 back 2:32.53, 15th
Yasmin Tajalli: 200 free 2:20.55, 23rd
Daniel McNamara 100 fly 1:15.89, 2nd
Maximillian Bolcato: 100 fly 1:17.92, 7th
Oliver Hodgson: 400 free 4:59.05, 13th
Daniel McNamara: 400 free 5:08.17, 7th
Emily Ford: 400 IM 5:45.61, 12th
11 year old Daniel McNamara was again in the medal - winning 2 Silvers in the 100 free and the 100 fly.
Maximillian Bolcato: 200 IM 2:50.86, 13th
Oliver Hodgson: 200 IM 2:48.07, 28th
Luke Wilby: 200 IM 2:36.98, 21st
Emily Ford: 200 IM 2:42.12, 11th
Alice Martin: 200 breaststroke 3:32.78, 27th (first regionals)
Emily Ford: 100 free 1:05.85, 9th
Yasmin Tajalli: 100 free 1:02.93, 7th
Daniel McNamara: 100 free 1:05.94, 2nd
Oliver Hodgson: 100 free 1:06.72, 18th
Luke Wilby: 100 free 1:03.25, 23rd
Yasmin Tajalli: 100 free 1:02.92, 5th
Daniel McNamara: 200 back 2:42.03, 4th
Maximillian Bolcato: 200 back 2:54.43, 28th
Oliver Hodgson: 200 back 2:43.10, 18th
Luke Wilby: 200 back 2:32.53, 15th
Yasmin Tajalli: 200 free 2:20.55, 23rd
Daniel McNamara 100 fly 1:15.89, 2nd
Maximillian Bolcato: 100 fly 1:17.92, 7th
Oliver Hodgson: 400 free 4:59.05, 13th
Daniel McNamara: 400 free 5:08.17, 7th
Emily Ford: 400 IM 5:45.61, 12th
Cardiff inteRNational Meet
Harry James competed in the Cardiff International Meet on Sunday and swam a National qualifying time in the 400 IM. This is his 3rd National time and a new event for him . His time was 4.41.22 LC and he came 3rd overall.
AGE GROUP REGIONALS 2014 - Part 1
Well done to the AVSC swimmers who took part in the South East Regionals this weekend. Lots of PBs and club records.
12 year old Emily Ford made finals for 100 back, 200 back and 100 fly and achieved a silver in 100 back bronze medals in the others and well as Long course National times in them all! Very impressive. Also notible was 11 year old Daniel Mcnamara who won bronze in 200 free and the 100 back.
Lottie James and Max Bolcato took part in their first regional champs achieving long course PBs with their excellent swims. Great races also from Oliver Hodgson and Luke Wilby.
Full results here
12 year old Emily Ford made finals for 100 back, 200 back and 100 fly and achieved a silver in 100 back bronze medals in the others and well as Long course National times in them all! Very impressive. Also notible was 11 year old Daniel Mcnamara who won bronze in 200 free and the 100 back.
Lottie James and Max Bolcato took part in their first regional champs achieving long course PBs with their excellent swims. Great races also from Oliver Hodgson and Luke Wilby.
Full results here
Wycombe May 2014 Meet
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Excellent results on Saturday, 10 May at the Wycombe meet. Lots of PBs and AVSC won best visiting club with Ruth Delany best girl. Big thanks to our coaches, officials and supporters. Here are our medal winners:
Gold: Ruth Delany - 100 breast, 100 free, 50 free, 100 fly Alice Martin - 50 free, 50 fly Karl Waring - 50 fly, 100 breast Cameron Bullock - 50 back, 100 free Luke Wilby - 50 free, 50 back Will Devetta - 50 fly Rhian Casey - 100 fly Silver: Ruth Delany - 50 back, 50 fly, 100 breast Alice Martin - 50 back, 100 breast, 100 back, 50 breast Rhian Casey - 100 free, 50 fly, 50 free Max Bolcato - 50 fly, 100 back, 50 free, 50 back Will Devetta - 50 free, 100 free Isabella Boyce Parr - 50 back Joanne McCabe - 100 breast Marcus Gardner - 50 fly Luke Wilby - 100 back Kari Waring - 50 free Charlotte Rowley - 50 breast Rebecca Hyde - 50 free Bronze: Will Devetta - 100 back, 50 back Joanne McCabe - 50 back, 100 free Marcus Gardner - 50 breast, 100 fly Isabella Boyce Parr - 100 back Max Bolcato - 100 free Jasmine Rennie - 100 breast Cameron Bullock - 100 back Luke Wilby - 100 free Ece Besen - 50 fly Kari Waring - 100 back Zico Weir-Minns - 50 free Natalia Druett - 50 breast Zoe Lovibond - 50 free |
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SE Youth Regionals MAY 2014
Over the past weekend AVSC's senior swimmers attended the SER Youth Regional Champtionships in Crawley.
AVSC did very well with medals from Caitlin Wheatley in the 200 Fly (Gold), 100 Fly (Bronze) and Niall O'Leary in the 200 Back (Gold). Other finalists were:
Harry James 100 Breast, 200 Breast
Michael Esnouf 50 Breast
Sam Costello set a new club record in the 200 fly in 2.27.15
Harry James set a new open 100 fly club record 1.00.91
Full results can be seen here
AVSC did very well with medals from Caitlin Wheatley in the 200 Fly (Gold), 100 Fly (Bronze) and Niall O'Leary in the 200 Back (Gold). Other finalists were:
Harry James 100 Breast, 200 Breast
Michael Esnouf 50 Breast
Sam Costello set a new club record in the 200 fly in 2.27.15
Harry James set a new open 100 fly club record 1.00.91
Full results can be seen here
CMK April 2014 Meet
Well done to our competitors at the City of Milton Keynes meet this past weekend. Special congratulations to our medal winners:
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GOLD
Ece Besen - 50 fly Jana Cooper Marcos- 50 free Sam Costello - 200 fly Will Devetta - 50 fly, 50 back Emily Ford - 400 IM. 50 free Harry James - 50 breast,100 breast, 100 fly Joanna Kilburn - 50 back Nienke Lijzenga -50 back, 400 free Daniel Mowlem - 200 IM Ellie Nutt - 100 breast, 50 free, 200 IM, 200 breast Josh Royal - 100 back Millie Royal - 100 free Caitlin Wheatley - 100 fly, 50 fly Luke Wilby - 200 back |
SILVER:
Ece Besen - 50 free Max Bolcato - 400 free Cameron Bullock - 100 free, 50 breast Rhian Casey - 100 fly,100 free Emily Ford- 200 breast Harry James - 50 fly Nienke Lijzenga - 100 breast Adam Lowe - 100 back Daniel Mowlem - 50 free Katie Norridge - 50 back Ellie Nutt - 100 back Jasmine Rennie - 50 breast Josh Royal - 50 back Millie Royal - 50 free Leonie Watson - 100 free Trudi Wheatley - 50 fly Luke Wilby - 50 breast |
BRONZE:
Cameron Bullock - 50 fly Rhian Casey - 200 free Sam Costello - 100 fly Will Devetta - 50 breast Natalia Druett - 50 breast, 200 breast Emily Ford - 50 breast Oliver Hodgson - 400 free Millie Jackson - 100 free Joanna Kilburn - 50 fly Alice Martin - 200 breast Daniel Mowlem - 50 breast Charlotte Rowley - 200 breast Millie Royal - 100 fly, 50 fly Leonie Watson - 50 fre Caitlin Wheatley - 100 breast Trudi Wheatley - 400 IM, 50 breast, 50 back Luke Wilby - 100 free |
British Champs 2014 - Vale Swimmers make a Huge splash in Glasgow
Two swimmers from Abingdon Vale Swimming Club competed in the British Gas Swimming Championships, in the Scottish city last weekend.
Niall O’Leary, 17, took home silver in the men’s junior 200 backstroke final.
This win now ranks the swimmer from Abingdon number two in the country for his age group, and is a half a second improvement on his personal best (2.05.73).
The competition saw club swimmers and Olympians, not only bettering their personal times but also fighting for Commonwealth and Junior European qualifying times.
Head coach Scott Farnell explained that it was a tough competition and that he is proud of his swimmers performances.
He said: “These type of competitions don’t build character, they reveal it, and both Abingdon boys have proven they have what it takes.”
The event was held at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, where the Commonwealth games will be held this summer.
Michael Esnouf, 17, from Combe, also had a successful weekend coming sixth in his final.
He said: “It was a privilege to swim in the Commonwealth pool and I am extremely happy that I made the 100 breaststroke junior final.”
Esnouf also achieved a personal best of 1.06.27.k here to edit.
Niall O’Leary, 17, took home silver in the men’s junior 200 backstroke final.
This win now ranks the swimmer from Abingdon number two in the country for his age group, and is a half a second improvement on his personal best (2.05.73).
The competition saw club swimmers and Olympians, not only bettering their personal times but also fighting for Commonwealth and Junior European qualifying times.
Head coach Scott Farnell explained that it was a tough competition and that he is proud of his swimmers performances.
He said: “These type of competitions don’t build character, they reveal it, and both Abingdon boys have proven they have what it takes.”
The event was held at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, where the Commonwealth games will be held this summer.
Michael Esnouf, 17, from Combe, also had a successful weekend coming sixth in his final.
He said: “It was a privilege to swim in the Commonwealth pool and I am extremely happy that I made the 100 breaststroke junior final.”
Esnouf also achieved a personal best of 1.06.27.k here to edit.
AVSC at Counties 2014 !
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County Champions
Niall O'Leary 3rd 400 Free Harry James 3rd 400 IM Niall O'Leary 3rd 200 Free Harry James 3rd 200 Breast David Murphy 3rd 50 Breast Boys Open Medley Relay 3rd Harry James 3rd 200 IM David Murphy 3rd 100 Breast Caitlin Wheatley 1st 200 Fly Caitlin Wheatley 2nd 100 Fly Niall O'Leary 1st 200 Back Niall O'Leary 3rd 50 Back County Junior Champions David Murphy 1st 400 IM David Murphy 1st 200 IM David Murphy 1st 100 IM David Murphy 3rd 50 Free Boys 16/under Medley Relay 2nd David Murphy 1st 200 Breast David Murphy 1st 100 Breast David Murphy 3rd 50 Fly David Murphy 1st 50 Breast Ellie Nutt 3rd 100 breast Caitlin Wheatley 1st 200 Fly Caitlin Wheatley 1st 100 Fly David Murphy 3rd 100 Free |
Bagcats
11yrs Boys 1st Daniel McNamara 5th Max Bolcato 12yrs boys Oliver Hodgson 7th 13yrs boys Luke Wilby 7th 9yrs girls Georgina Halfhead 6th 10yrs girls Merel Hijink 4th Lottie James 6th 11yrs girl Emily Ford 1st 12yrs girls Yasmin Tajalli 1st 13yrs girls Cordelia Halfhead 7th |
AVSC achieved 13 new Meet Best Times:
7 from Emily ! 100Free, 200Free, 50Back, 100Back, 200Back, 50Fly, 100IM 2 from Yasmin 50m Free, 50m Fly 2 from David 200 Breast, 200IM 1 from Shannon - 50Back 1 Relay - Yasmin, Emily, Leonie, Zoe |
Counties... so Far
Full results from the Counties will be reported after next weekend but so far....
Abingdon medal table from last weekend looks like this:
Gold - 16
Silver - 7
Bronze - 15
Total - 38, taking overall tally to 64 medals with one weekend to go.
This is a pretty wonderful achievement by the swimmers - particularly as we are a relatively small club!
Top four multiple medal winners so far are:
Emily Ford - 5 Gold (also 5 club records, 5 County Meet Best Times, National time (200 back) and fastest in UK for 11 year old 50 fly and 200 back)
Daniel McNamara - 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze
Yasmin Tajalli - 3 Gold, 1 Silver
David Murphy - 3 Gold, 1 Silver
There are quite a number of top 8 finishers too - all scoring important points in the overall club competitions as well as in the Bagcats standings.
Abingdon medal table from last weekend looks like this:
Gold - 16
Silver - 7
Bronze - 15
Total - 38, taking overall tally to 64 medals with one weekend to go.
This is a pretty wonderful achievement by the swimmers - particularly as we are a relatively small club!
Top four multiple medal winners so far are:
Emily Ford - 5 Gold (also 5 club records, 5 County Meet Best Times, National time (200 back) and fastest in UK for 11 year old 50 fly and 200 back)
Daniel McNamara - 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze
Yasmin Tajalli - 3 Gold, 1 Silver
David Murphy - 3 Gold, 1 Silver
There are quite a number of top 8 finishers too - all scoring important points in the overall club competitions as well as in the Bagcats standings.
Thames Valley Junior League - Winners!
WE TURNED UP WE RACED WE WON
Job Done. That's all folks!
Oh all right I can hear you all clamouring for more after a night of many triumphs for AVSC's Junior team as they stormed to victory in the B Final of Thames Valley Junior League 2014.
Here are just some of the headlines:
FIVE Junior relay records broken in one night!
22 race wins - 8 relays and 14 individuals.
12 seconds and 4 thirds.
16 individual 50m PBs lowered.
And breaking news - absolutely no gremlins to report with the race program this time, leaving the travelling supporters with little to do but sit back and marvel at the conveyor belt delivery of swimmers to the blocks where Club Captain Caitlin Wheatley sent them on their way for some seriously fast AVSC swimming.
Where better to start than at the beginning with a record breaking medley relay from the Girls U12s. Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley, Yasmin Tajalli and Leonie Watson got proceedings under way and set the standard for the night by taking two seconds off a record that has stood since 1996. The boys U12s were keen to follow this with a win of their own and duly delivered to make it two out of two - only to be denied by a toe-curling DQ at the start of the back-stroke leg! A pretty harsh penalty in only the second race and despite a protest being lodged the referee refused to change her decision. It mattered not, and AVSC were off and swimming fast. The Girls U9s came second in their medley relay, the boys 4th and it was not long before the next win came along in another club record-breaking performance - with Girls U10s (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink and Alice Martin) getting in on the action. The boys U10s battled to hang on for 5th place - no mean feat with two 9 years olds swimming up). The Girls U11s took 3rd and the Boys U11 rounded of the first set of relays by notching up the third win of the night.
This was just for starters though and once the main course got under way with the individual races the team returned time and again to the top table to help themselves to the podium places. Over the next 32 individual events AVSC placed in the top three in 26 races (14 firsts, 9 seconds, and 3 thirds) - a fantastic achievement and it really was a dominant display from the whole team with every swimmer giving it their all. What the younger ones lacked in experience they made up for in spades with enthusiasm and there were improved times for 4 of the 9 year olds in their individual races, there are no official 25m club pbs, to add to the 16 individual 50m personal bests.
So here is the roll of honour for the individual events:
First Place:
Jana Cooper Marcos
Ella Pearce
Max Bolcato - a double in the 50 Fly from the 'Bolcato Express' smashing the U11s and then taking the U12s too
Yasmin Tajalli - causing a few nervous looks between the coaches, and probably Dad too, after taking it somewhat easy over the first 40m before stretching it out to avoid what would have been the upset of the night had the Chalfont swimmer pipped her to the touch - she was only 0.7 behind you Yas! A pb in the 50 Fly restored calm on poolside and in the gallery!
Blaine Carpenter
Merel Hijink
Olivia Pilbeam
Daniel McNamara - double in Free and Breaststroke
Oliver Hodgson - double in Back and Breaststroke
Lottie James
Second Place:
Georgina Halfhead
Roderick Truggelman
Sytoria Carpenter
Sam Cruttenden
Emma Costello
Thomas Wilsher
Theodora Wornham
Alice Martin
Charlotte Rowley
Third Place:
Georgina Halfhead
Thomas Wilsher
Ella Pearce
Not quite replete after this salvo of fast swimming, the teams were hungry for more and duly got stuck in to the freestyle relay dessert trolley notching up 5 wins and 2 seconds from the final 9 races. The U10s girls were still in record breaking mood as they dropped the record by almost 2 seconds, and this was followed by another record-breaking performance from the U12 girls team - lowering a club record from 1996 to 59.27. The U11 boys then registered their second win of the night and the U9 and U11 girls both took second place in their final races, the latter producing the closest race of the night with Livvy Pilbeam being roared on by the gallery only to be touched out by 0.02 in a finish that saw 4 teams separated by just 0.18 seconds at the finish - anyone for Place Judge? Not to be outdone by the girls in the record stakes the U12 Boys Oliver Hodgson, Oran Forrestal, Max Bolcato and Blaine Carpenter) then snuck in to lower a record that has stood since 1993 by just over half a second.
And so to the favourite Squadron Relay to bring to an end what had been a spectacular night. It looked like our main challengers, Chalfont Otters, were going to fight this one to the finish and they duly took it out from the start and led for the first four or five legs. But with the decibel levels increasing and the gallery rising to its feet the AVSC juggernaut seemed to get faster and faster with each changeover until Oliver Hodgson delivered the icing on the cake to seal a truly great win for the team.
So that's it TVJL for 2014 - it has been a blast with much laughter along the way and a few tears (mostly mine!). In the final standings we should be in 7th place in the league which is perhaps lower than our aspirations at the beginning but after releasing 8 swimmers to represent the County team for Round 2 the team really showed the strength and depth of talent that exists at the junior end of the club which is very exciting for the future. Being in the A final would have been the target at the beginning, but how good was it to come away with a gala victory and and trophy to boot - and without any interference from the redundant gallery to distract us this time the coaching team actually got to enjoy it too!
Which leads to the final thanks due to all those who help make it happen - Bruce and James on poolside, as well as Caitlin, Pippa, Helen and Rhian for your calmness under pressure in carrying out a job that can sometimes seem like herding cats! To Margaret, Jean-Baptiste and Inge for all your officiating - without which we would not be able to compete so big thank you to you. To the supporters and parents for transporting swimmers to the various venues (even when not actually required to do so!), and of course to all of the swimmers who have competed throughout the series, especially Academy members. Keep enjoying your swimming and keep swimming fast.
Remember that winning feeling as you step up on the blocks and Counties this weekend and lets have some more fastswimming@AVSC. GOOD LUCK
By James Halfhead
Job Done. That's all folks!
Oh all right I can hear you all clamouring for more after a night of many triumphs for AVSC's Junior team as they stormed to victory in the B Final of Thames Valley Junior League 2014.
Here are just some of the headlines:
FIVE Junior relay records broken in one night!
22 race wins - 8 relays and 14 individuals.
12 seconds and 4 thirds.
16 individual 50m PBs lowered.
And breaking news - absolutely no gremlins to report with the race program this time, leaving the travelling supporters with little to do but sit back and marvel at the conveyor belt delivery of swimmers to the blocks where Club Captain Caitlin Wheatley sent them on their way for some seriously fast AVSC swimming.
Where better to start than at the beginning with a record breaking medley relay from the Girls U12s. Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley, Yasmin Tajalli and Leonie Watson got proceedings under way and set the standard for the night by taking two seconds off a record that has stood since 1996. The boys U12s were keen to follow this with a win of their own and duly delivered to make it two out of two - only to be denied by a toe-curling DQ at the start of the back-stroke leg! A pretty harsh penalty in only the second race and despite a protest being lodged the referee refused to change her decision. It mattered not, and AVSC were off and swimming fast. The Girls U9s came second in their medley relay, the boys 4th and it was not long before the next win came along in another club record-breaking performance - with Girls U10s (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink and Alice Martin) getting in on the action. The boys U10s battled to hang on for 5th place - no mean feat with two 9 years olds swimming up). The Girls U11s took 3rd and the Boys U11 rounded of the first set of relays by notching up the third win of the night.
This was just for starters though and once the main course got under way with the individual races the team returned time and again to the top table to help themselves to the podium places. Over the next 32 individual events AVSC placed in the top three in 26 races (14 firsts, 9 seconds, and 3 thirds) - a fantastic achievement and it really was a dominant display from the whole team with every swimmer giving it their all. What the younger ones lacked in experience they made up for in spades with enthusiasm and there were improved times for 4 of the 9 year olds in their individual races, there are no official 25m club pbs, to add to the 16 individual 50m personal bests.
So here is the roll of honour for the individual events:
First Place:
Jana Cooper Marcos
Ella Pearce
Max Bolcato - a double in the 50 Fly from the 'Bolcato Express' smashing the U11s and then taking the U12s too
Yasmin Tajalli - causing a few nervous looks between the coaches, and probably Dad too, after taking it somewhat easy over the first 40m before stretching it out to avoid what would have been the upset of the night had the Chalfont swimmer pipped her to the touch - she was only 0.7 behind you Yas! A pb in the 50 Fly restored calm on poolside and in the gallery!
Blaine Carpenter
Merel Hijink
Olivia Pilbeam
Daniel McNamara - double in Free and Breaststroke
Oliver Hodgson - double in Back and Breaststroke
Lottie James
Second Place:
Georgina Halfhead
Roderick Truggelman
Sytoria Carpenter
Sam Cruttenden
Emma Costello
Thomas Wilsher
Theodora Wornham
Alice Martin
Charlotte Rowley
Third Place:
Georgina Halfhead
Thomas Wilsher
Ella Pearce
Not quite replete after this salvo of fast swimming, the teams were hungry for more and duly got stuck in to the freestyle relay dessert trolley notching up 5 wins and 2 seconds from the final 9 races. The U10s girls were still in record breaking mood as they dropped the record by almost 2 seconds, and this was followed by another record-breaking performance from the U12 girls team - lowering a club record from 1996 to 59.27. The U11 boys then registered their second win of the night and the U9 and U11 girls both took second place in their final races, the latter producing the closest race of the night with Livvy Pilbeam being roared on by the gallery only to be touched out by 0.02 in a finish that saw 4 teams separated by just 0.18 seconds at the finish - anyone for Place Judge? Not to be outdone by the girls in the record stakes the U12 Boys Oliver Hodgson, Oran Forrestal, Max Bolcato and Blaine Carpenter) then snuck in to lower a record that has stood since 1993 by just over half a second.
And so to the favourite Squadron Relay to bring to an end what had been a spectacular night. It looked like our main challengers, Chalfont Otters, were going to fight this one to the finish and they duly took it out from the start and led for the first four or five legs. But with the decibel levels increasing and the gallery rising to its feet the AVSC juggernaut seemed to get faster and faster with each changeover until Oliver Hodgson delivered the icing on the cake to seal a truly great win for the team.
So that's it TVJL for 2014 - it has been a blast with much laughter along the way and a few tears (mostly mine!). In the final standings we should be in 7th place in the league which is perhaps lower than our aspirations at the beginning but after releasing 8 swimmers to represent the County team for Round 2 the team really showed the strength and depth of talent that exists at the junior end of the club which is very exciting for the future. Being in the A final would have been the target at the beginning, but how good was it to come away with a gala victory and and trophy to boot - and without any interference from the redundant gallery to distract us this time the coaching team actually got to enjoy it too!
Which leads to the final thanks due to all those who help make it happen - Bruce and James on poolside, as well as Caitlin, Pippa, Helen and Rhian for your calmness under pressure in carrying out a job that can sometimes seem like herding cats! To Margaret, Jean-Baptiste and Inge for all your officiating - without which we would not be able to compete so big thank you to you. To the supporters and parents for transporting swimmers to the various venues (even when not actually required to do so!), and of course to all of the swimmers who have competed throughout the series, especially Academy members. Keep enjoying your swimming and keep swimming fast.
Remember that winning feeling as you step up on the blocks and Counties this weekend and lets have some more fastswimming@AVSC. GOOD LUCK
By James Halfhead
Counties - Weekend 2
Great results at Day 2 of ONB County Champs!
Gold:
Emily Ford 400 IM (11yrs)
David Murphy 400 IM (15yrs)
Girlss 11-12 Medley Relay A Team (Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley, Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli )
Girls 11-12 Free Relay A Team (Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond)
Silver:
Sam Costello 400 IM (16 yrs)
Nienke Lijzenga 400 IM (15yrs)
Niall O'Leary 400 Free (17yrs/over)
Girls 9-10 Medley Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Girls 9-10 Free Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Bronze:
Max Bolcato 400 Free (11yrs)
Harry James 400IM (17/over)
County Champions:
Niall O'Leary 400 Free Open 3rd
Harry James 400 IM Open 3rd
David Murphy 400 IM Junior 1st
Club records:
11-12 4x50 Free relay 2.00.01; Team: Yasmin Tajalli, Emily Ford , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond
11-12 4x50 Medley relay 2.15.79; Team: Yasmin Tajalli, Emily Ford, Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley
Oliver Hodgson 12/under 400 Free
David Murphy 16/under 400 IM
Girls 9-10 Medley Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Girls 9-10 Free Relay A Team(Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
County Meet Best TImes:
11-12 4x50 Free relay 2.00.01 Team: (Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond)
Gold:
Emily Ford 400 IM (11yrs)
David Murphy 400 IM (15yrs)
Girlss 11-12 Medley Relay A Team (Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley, Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli )
Girls 11-12 Free Relay A Team (Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond)
Silver:
Sam Costello 400 IM (16 yrs)
Nienke Lijzenga 400 IM (15yrs)
Niall O'Leary 400 Free (17yrs/over)
Girls 9-10 Medley Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Girls 9-10 Free Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Bronze:
Max Bolcato 400 Free (11yrs)
Harry James 400IM (17/over)
County Champions:
Niall O'Leary 400 Free Open 3rd
Harry James 400 IM Open 3rd
David Murphy 400 IM Junior 1st
Club records:
11-12 4x50 Free relay 2.00.01; Team: Yasmin Tajalli, Emily Ford , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond
11-12 4x50 Medley relay 2.15.79; Team: Yasmin Tajalli, Emily Ford, Emma Costello, Charlotte Rowley
Oliver Hodgson 12/under 400 Free
David Murphy 16/under 400 IM
Girls 9-10 Medley Relay A Team (Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
Girls 9-10 Free Relay A Team(Lottie James, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Alice Martin)
County Meet Best TImes:
11-12 4x50 Free relay 2.00.01 Team: (Emily Ford, Yasmin Tajalli , Leonie Watson, Zoe Lovibond)
Counties 2014 - Day 1
Abingdon Vale Swim Club’s 11-12 year old 'A' Relay Team win 2 Silver Medals at the Oxfordshire & North Buckinghamshire County Gala, Bletchley Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 9th!
AVSC’s 11-12 boys A relay team consisting of Oliver Hodgson (12), Daniel McNamara (11), Max Bolcato (11) and Blaine Carpenter (12) win 2 silver medals against huge clubs like Maxwell and Bicester.
...and in doing so, annihilated two long standing club records :
200 Medley (4 X 50): 2:22.41 - record (from 1993 - 21 years old) was 2:26.48 - shoved 4s off!
200 Free (4 x 50): 2:03.30 - record (from 1998 - 16 years old) was 2:09.19 - shoved almost 6s off!!
Congratulations also to Oliver Hodgson who achieved his Regional time in the 1500 freestyle
AVSC’s 11-12 boys A relay team consisting of Oliver Hodgson (12), Daniel McNamara (11), Max Bolcato (11) and Blaine Carpenter (12) win 2 silver medals against huge clubs like Maxwell and Bicester.
...and in doing so, annihilated two long standing club records :
200 Medley (4 X 50): 2:22.41 - record (from 1993 - 21 years old) was 2:26.48 - shoved 4s off!
200 Free (4 x 50): 2:03.30 - record (from 1998 - 16 years old) was 2:09.19 - shoved almost 6s off!!
Congratulations also to Oliver Hodgson who achieved his Regional time in the 1500 freestyle
ONB COunty Team Gala 2014 - SAXON Pool
Well done to the 6 AVSC swimmers who were chosen to be part of the Oxfordshire and North Bucks County team and swam in a competition at Biggleswade on Saturday, 1st February. The team was fantastic and came 2nd place overall. Congratulations to Daniel McNamara, Eloise Ross, Emily Ford, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Oliver Hodgson, Zoe Lovibond and Yasmin Tajalli.
Full results can be downloaded below.
Full results can be downloaded below.
| juniorintercountyresults.pdf |
Thames Valley League Round 2
Another evening of junior league swimming kicked February off with a bang as AVSC’s young swimmers did battle in round 2 at Chiltern Pools, Amersham. Once again there was no lack of enthusiasm and excitement from the swimmers who faced a daunting task against top of the league Amersham A and teams from Reading and Maidenhead A, who placed second and third in Round 1 respectively. With 8 members of the team from round 1 heading off to represent the ONB County team the challenge was on to see if we could keep ahead of Chalfont Otters and Maidenhead B, both of whom we had seen off in round 1.
The open medley relays got under way with every single swimmer giving their all in every race. It was no different in the individual events too and it was great to see AVSC swimmers going for it right to the end in every race. There were some very close finishes which often resulted in an important place being gained right on the touch – all down to our ‘never give up’ attitude and some gritty determined swimming displayed by all.
Despite these close races and no doubt every swimmer wanting to be the one to touch the wall first, we didn’t quite manage that elusive first place on the night as the opposition proved too strong. There were notable second places though for Alice Martin (50 breast), Emma Costello, (50 Back) and Lottie James (50 back) and third placed swims for Georgina Halfhead, Ella Pearce. Apologies if anyone has been missed but at the time of publication we are still waiting for the official results. In the relays the girls 9 year olds stormed to second and third place in the freestyle and medley relays respectively – which included particularly plucky swims from our youngest member on the night, 8 year old Orla Forrestal, whose last minute signing after a re-read of the eligibility rules meant Mum and Dad were able to keep the peace at home as all three Forrestals (Orla, Pia and Oran) were in the team! Third place also for the girls' 10 year olds (medley), boys' 11 year old (freestyle) and girls' 12 year old (freestyle). At the end we were beaten to 4th spot by Chalfont by some 20 points or so (official results awaited) but 5th place was no disgrace at all for the team and the swimmers did themselves proud, particularly those swimming in a league gala for the first time (including again a number of Academy swimmers.
Incredibly there were no major mishaps with the race programme this time. Just the minor incident of the 9 & 10s swap occurring with events 17-20 – but this dear readers was all just a deliberate plan to make sure that the travelling supporters were not falling asleep in the gallery and were able to feel included in the proceedings! The resulting collaborative intervention from the top tier could be heard back in Abingdon. Fortunately it caused enough of a distraction to delay the referee starting the next race and thus enabled a swift extraction and insertion operation to be performed and it was soon in with the gala as if nothing had happened! Watch out for Round 3 where I will be asking the referee to conduct the races on a random selection basis in order to have a better chance of a match-up with my list!
Once again thank you to al the swimmers for your brilliant effort in the pool, to Margaret and Jean-Baptiste for your officiating, to James, Bruce, Helen and Rhian, special thanks to the eagle-eyed Kate poolside, and of course to the mums and dads and everyone who came along to support the team for another great night of swimming.
by James Halfhead
The open medley relays got under way with every single swimmer giving their all in every race. It was no different in the individual events too and it was great to see AVSC swimmers going for it right to the end in every race. There were some very close finishes which often resulted in an important place being gained right on the touch – all down to our ‘never give up’ attitude and some gritty determined swimming displayed by all.
Despite these close races and no doubt every swimmer wanting to be the one to touch the wall first, we didn’t quite manage that elusive first place on the night as the opposition proved too strong. There were notable second places though for Alice Martin (50 breast), Emma Costello, (50 Back) and Lottie James (50 back) and third placed swims for Georgina Halfhead, Ella Pearce. Apologies if anyone has been missed but at the time of publication we are still waiting for the official results. In the relays the girls 9 year olds stormed to second and third place in the freestyle and medley relays respectively – which included particularly plucky swims from our youngest member on the night, 8 year old Orla Forrestal, whose last minute signing after a re-read of the eligibility rules meant Mum and Dad were able to keep the peace at home as all three Forrestals (Orla, Pia and Oran) were in the team! Third place also for the girls' 10 year olds (medley), boys' 11 year old (freestyle) and girls' 12 year old (freestyle). At the end we were beaten to 4th spot by Chalfont by some 20 points or so (official results awaited) but 5th place was no disgrace at all for the team and the swimmers did themselves proud, particularly those swimming in a league gala for the first time (including again a number of Academy swimmers.
Incredibly there were no major mishaps with the race programme this time. Just the minor incident of the 9 & 10s swap occurring with events 17-20 – but this dear readers was all just a deliberate plan to make sure that the travelling supporters were not falling asleep in the gallery and were able to feel included in the proceedings! The resulting collaborative intervention from the top tier could be heard back in Abingdon. Fortunately it caused enough of a distraction to delay the referee starting the next race and thus enabled a swift extraction and insertion operation to be performed and it was soon in with the gala as if nothing had happened! Watch out for Round 3 where I will be asking the referee to conduct the races on a random selection basis in order to have a better chance of a match-up with my list!
Once again thank you to al the swimmers for your brilliant effort in the pool, to Margaret and Jean-Baptiste for your officiating, to James, Bruce, Helen and Rhian, special thanks to the eagle-eyed Kate poolside, and of course to the mums and dads and everyone who came along to support the team for another great night of swimming.
by James Halfhead
Catalan Championships - Barcelona 16-20 JANUARY
A team of 20 swimmers was selected by the South East Region following the Winter Regionals, based on the highest FINA points achieved.
Two of our National swimmers - Harry James and Niall O'Leary - were invited to represent the region.
They both swam brilliantly getting through to semi finals and finals.
Niall swam the 50m back , 100m back, 200m back,400m free, freestyle and medley relays qualifying for finals in the 100 and 200m back and semi final in the 50m back.
Harry swam the 50m breast, 100m breast, 200m breast, 50m free, 100m free, freestyle and medley relays, qualifying for finals in the 100 and 200m breast.
Overall the SE Region Team did extremely well coming home with a large number of medals and PB's.
Well done Harry and Niall.
Two of our National swimmers - Harry James and Niall O'Leary - were invited to represent the region.
They both swam brilliantly getting through to semi finals and finals.
Niall swam the 50m back , 100m back, 200m back,400m free, freestyle and medley relays qualifying for finals in the 100 and 200m back and semi final in the 50m back.
Harry swam the 50m breast, 100m breast, 200m breast, 50m free, 100m free, freestyle and medley relays, qualifying for finals in the 100 and 200m breast.
Overall the SE Region Team did extremely well coming home with a large number of medals and PB's.
Well done Harry and Niall.
Maxwell January 2014 Meet Medal winners
Gold:
Merely Hijink - 400m Free
Nienke Lijzenka - 400m Free, 400 IM, 200m Free
Sytoria Carpenter - 100 IM
Sam Costello - 400m Free
Eloise Ross - 50m Free
Silver
Emma Costello - 400m Free
Sam Costello - 400 IM
Sytoria Carpenter - 50m Breast
Georgina Halfhead - 50m Breast
Oliver Hodgson - 200m Breast
Nienke Lijzenka - 100 IM, 100m Back, 200m Back
Daniel McNamara - 100m Back
Eloise Ross - 100m Free, 100 IM
Leonie Watson - 50m Free
Bronze
Chris Motha - 400 IM
Max Bolcato - 100m Back, 100m Fly, 100m Free
Emma Costello - 400 IM
Robin Graham - 50m Back
Nienke Lijzenka - 200 IM, 100m Free, 200m Breast, 50m Back
Daniel McNamara - 200m Free, 200m Back
Jasmine Rennie - 200m Breast
Eloise Ross - 200m Free
Luke Wilby - 100m Back, 200m Free, 50m Back, 200m Back, 100m IM
Merely Hijink - 400m Free
Nienke Lijzenka - 400m Free, 400 IM, 200m Free
Sytoria Carpenter - 100 IM
Sam Costello - 400m Free
Eloise Ross - 50m Free
Silver
Emma Costello - 400m Free
Sam Costello - 400 IM
Sytoria Carpenter - 50m Breast
Georgina Halfhead - 50m Breast
Oliver Hodgson - 200m Breast
Nienke Lijzenka - 100 IM, 100m Back, 200m Back
Daniel McNamara - 100m Back
Eloise Ross - 100m Free, 100 IM
Leonie Watson - 50m Free
Bronze
Chris Motha - 400 IM
Max Bolcato - 100m Back, 100m Fly, 100m Free
Emma Costello - 400 IM
Robin Graham - 50m Back
Nienke Lijzenka - 200 IM, 100m Free, 200m Breast, 50m Back
Daniel McNamara - 200m Free, 200m Back
Jasmine Rennie - 200m Breast
Eloise Ross - 200m Free
Luke Wilby - 100m Back, 200m Free, 50m Back, 200m Back, 100m IM
THames Valley Junior League Round 1 (2013)
Newbury Leisure Centre was bursting with noise and excitement on Saturday evening for the first round of the Thames Valley Junior League which saw AVSC pitted against teams from Bracknell & Wokingham, Amersham B, Reading, Newbury, and Maidenhead Marlins B.
All was set fair for some fast swimming and the 12 years olds girls got the gala under way with a solid 2nd place in the medley relay, and the boys came in 4th in theirs. Things then went a little bit off piste due to a mishap amongst the coaching staff over the race programme which unfortunately resulted in AVSC fielding over-age swimmers in several of the next few relays and but for the timely intervention of one of the supporting Mums we may well have carried blindly on without noticing - after all it was very loud on poolside! Fortunately total disaster was averted and the individual events got off to a flying start with a 1st place from Georgina Halfhead in the 25m backstroke - nonchalantly restoring family pride in the process! In fact all the swimmers took the said hiccup in their stride and were totally unfazed by the fact that no one really knew who was doing what, where and when (with the exception of course of the unflappable Club Captain Pippa Sayers and her equally calm deputy Rhian Casey who both kept things ticking over nicely at the business ends of the pool and ensured that swimmers' nerves were kept under control).
A memorable win from Jana Cooper Marcos in the 50m Breaststroke preceded a purple patch of three straight wins from Ella Pearce (50m Fly) and Max Bolcato (50m Fly) and Yasmin Tajalli in a thrilling 50m Freestyle. There must have been something in the fly ointment in lane 3 because Merel Hijink then blitzed her way through the field to win her 50m Fly. This led to an equally thrilling win for Daniel McNamara in the 50m Free who had a busy night in the pool swimming up to plug some gaps in the 12 year old relays. Lottie James swam clear of the field to win her 50m backstroke and Theodora Wornham sprinted home to take the honours in the 25m Freestyle for the 9 year old girls.
In addition to these individual wins, there were five second place swims from Sytoria Carpenter, Oliver Hodgson, Georgina Halfhead, Yasmin Tajalli and Lottie James and five third placed swims from Felix Sissins-Roffey, Blaine Carpenter, Aiden Casey, Daniel McNamara and Oliver Hodgson.
The final set of freestyle relays saw a win for the 10 year old girls, second place for the 11 and 12 year old boys and then to the loudest cheers of the night the Squadron Relay team battled through to steal third place in a thrilling finale to the evening. In the final points tally AVSC were in 4th place with 181 points just shy of third placed Bracknell & Wokingham with 188, with Newbury and Reading taking first and second honours on 230 and 220 points respectively.
It is difficult to say how badly the mix-up affected the outcome in terms of the final standings but what matter most was that although some swimmers did miss a relay they did all thankfully get to swim - and as important as points are, all of the swimmers contributed to a great evening of swimming and hopefully everyone (well nearly everyone!) enjoyed themselves.
A huge thank you to all the swimmers for their fast swimming, to all the parents and supporters for giving it your all from the stands (It was pretty loud) and of course for your understanding, to Inge, Margaret and Jean-Baptiste for your officiating and to Bruce, Pippa and Rhian for helping to control the screaming swarm of lycra-clad swimmers on poolside.
Roll-on Round 2 I say!
Meet report by James Halfhead
All was set fair for some fast swimming and the 12 years olds girls got the gala under way with a solid 2nd place in the medley relay, and the boys came in 4th in theirs. Things then went a little bit off piste due to a mishap amongst the coaching staff over the race programme which unfortunately resulted in AVSC fielding over-age swimmers in several of the next few relays and but for the timely intervention of one of the supporting Mums we may well have carried blindly on without noticing - after all it was very loud on poolside! Fortunately total disaster was averted and the individual events got off to a flying start with a 1st place from Georgina Halfhead in the 25m backstroke - nonchalantly restoring family pride in the process! In fact all the swimmers took the said hiccup in their stride and were totally unfazed by the fact that no one really knew who was doing what, where and when (with the exception of course of the unflappable Club Captain Pippa Sayers and her equally calm deputy Rhian Casey who both kept things ticking over nicely at the business ends of the pool and ensured that swimmers' nerves were kept under control).
A memorable win from Jana Cooper Marcos in the 50m Breaststroke preceded a purple patch of three straight wins from Ella Pearce (50m Fly) and Max Bolcato (50m Fly) and Yasmin Tajalli in a thrilling 50m Freestyle. There must have been something in the fly ointment in lane 3 because Merel Hijink then blitzed her way through the field to win her 50m Fly. This led to an equally thrilling win for Daniel McNamara in the 50m Free who had a busy night in the pool swimming up to plug some gaps in the 12 year old relays. Lottie James swam clear of the field to win her 50m backstroke and Theodora Wornham sprinted home to take the honours in the 25m Freestyle for the 9 year old girls.
In addition to these individual wins, there were five second place swims from Sytoria Carpenter, Oliver Hodgson, Georgina Halfhead, Yasmin Tajalli and Lottie James and five third placed swims from Felix Sissins-Roffey, Blaine Carpenter, Aiden Casey, Daniel McNamara and Oliver Hodgson.
The final set of freestyle relays saw a win for the 10 year old girls, second place for the 11 and 12 year old boys and then to the loudest cheers of the night the Squadron Relay team battled through to steal third place in a thrilling finale to the evening. In the final points tally AVSC were in 4th place with 181 points just shy of third placed Bracknell & Wokingham with 188, with Newbury and Reading taking first and second honours on 230 and 220 points respectively.
It is difficult to say how badly the mix-up affected the outcome in terms of the final standings but what matter most was that although some swimmers did miss a relay they did all thankfully get to swim - and as important as points are, all of the swimmers contributed to a great evening of swimming and hopefully everyone (well nearly everyone!) enjoyed themselves.
A huge thank you to all the swimmers for their fast swimming, to all the parents and supporters for giving it your all from the stands (It was pretty loud) and of course for your understanding, to Inge, Margaret and Jean-Baptiste for your officiating and to Bruce, Pippa and Rhian for helping to control the screaming swarm of lycra-clad swimmers on poolside.
Roll-on Round 2 I say!
Meet report by James Halfhead
AVSC OPen Meet - 2014
05.01.14
Congratulations to all the swimmers at the AVSC Open meet - lots of PBs and County times achieved. Special commendation to our medal winners:
|
Gold:
Jana Cooper Marcos: 50 back Sam Costello: 100 fly Emily Ford: 200 fly Merel Hijink: 100 back, 200 breast, 50 breast, 100 IM, 100 breast Oliver Hodgson: 50 back Lottie James: 50 fly Adam Lowe: 50 back Daniel McNamara: 100 IM Daniel Mowlem: 200 free, 50 free, 200 breast, 100 IM, 200 IM Tappy Ross: 50 free Pippa Sayers: 50 back Yasmin Tajalli: 200 free Leonie Watson: 100 fly Caitlin Wheatley: 200 breast, 100 back, 200 IM, 50 free, 200 back |
Silver:
Ece Besen: 100 IM Max Bolcato: 100 IM Emma Costello: 50 back Sam Costello: 200 free Oliver Hodgson: 200 back Lottie James: 200 free Alice Martin: 100 breast Daniel McNamara: 50 breast, 100 free Chris Motha: 50 back Daniel Mowlem: 200 fly, 50 breast Pippa Sayers: 200 breast, 200 free, 50 free, 200 back Yasmin Tajalli: 200 IM Leonie Watson: 100 free Caitlin Wheatley: 50 breast Trudi Wheatley 200 fly Luke Wilby: 100 free |
Bronze:
Max Bolcato: 50 fly Isabella Boyce Parr: 50 back Blaine Carpenter: 100 free, 50 breast Rhian Casey: 50 fly Sam Costello: 100 IM Megan Hodgson: 200 free, 50 free Oliver Hodgson: 200 free, 100 back Lochlan King: 50 free Zoe Lovibond: 50 free Alice Martin: 200 breast Daniel McNamara: 100 breast Chris Motha: 100 fly, 50 fly Curtis Mowlem: 200 breast Yasmin Tajalli: 100 back Leonie Watson: 200 free Caitlin Wheatley: 100 free Trudi Wheatley: 100 fly Luke Wilby: 200 back, 100 IM, 200 IM |
Intercounties Gala
01.01.14
Congratulations to the AVSC swimmers selected to compete at the Intercounties gala on 1st February at Biggleswade:
Daniel McNamara, Eloise Ross, Emily Ford, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Oliver Hodgson, Zoe Lovibond and Yasmin Tajalli.
Good luck - Abingdon Vale is proud of you!
Daniel McNamara, Eloise Ross, Emily Ford, Jana Cooper Marcos, Merel Hijink, Oliver Hodgson, Zoe Lovibond and Yasmin Tajalli.
Good luck - Abingdon Vale is proud of you!
Harry and NIall Selected for Regional Team
20.12.13
Following the recent South East Region Winter Championships Harry James and Niall O'Leary have been selected for the South East Region Team, to compete at the Catalan Championships in Barcelona from the 16th - 20th January. FINA points were calculated for all swimmers at the Winter Regionals and the top 10 boys and 10 girls have been invited to take part in this competition. Good luck to both boys.
England Talent Development Programme
Congratulations to Niall O’Leary for being selected for Phase 2 of the England Talent Development Programme.
Invitations to these camps have been made taking into account a number of factors including a review of performance rankings, profiling day data, recent World Class Programme selections, and the age profile of each event at international podium level.
120 swimmers have now been invited to attend England Development Camps on 3rd-5th January 2014
The specific camp Niall is invited to attend will focus on Freestyle (50/100/200mts) and Backstroke (100/200mts).
Well done Niall.
Invitations to these camps have been made taking into account a number of factors including a review of performance rankings, profiling day data, recent World Class Programme selections, and the age profile of each event at international podium level.
120 swimmers have now been invited to attend England Development Camps on 3rd-5th January 2014
The specific camp Niall is invited to attend will focus on Freestyle (50/100/200mts) and Backstroke (100/200mts).
Well done Niall.