First time ever medal wins for Thame’s under 14s swimmers

THAME Swimming Club were very proud to have several swimmers representing the club at the South East Regional Championships 2018, recently, Jo Hewitt, Marcus Birmingham, Lucy Block, Abi Hard and George Pearson having achieved the necessary qualifying times during the 2017-2018 season.

Jo Hewett in the Multi-Disability group gained first place in the 50m backstroke and personal best times in the 50m freestyle and the 100m backstroke.

Marcus Birmingham in the Men’s Open, came eighth in the 200m fly in the heats to qualify for the final, before going even better in the final, up to sixth place. He also gained eighth place in the 400m Individual medley with a five second personal best breaking the five minute barrier for the first time.

George Pearson, Abi Hard and Murray Wakefield swam for the first time at Regionals in the Under-forteens. George, the youngest, being the youngest gained seventh place in the 800m freestyle and a personal best time in the 200 fly. Abi swam in the 50m freestyle and Murray in the 100m and 200m fly. Murray had a second personal best time in the 100m fly of 1.07.72.

Lucy Block was the last of Thame’s swimmers with four swims in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, and the 200m individual medley. Lucy made all backstroke finals coming fifth in the 50m in 32.77 and stepping up to come third in both the 100m & 200m with personal best times of 1.08.83 in the 100m and 2.26.96 in the 200m.

This is the first time Thame Swimming Club had won medals at the South East Regional Championships in the 14 and Under age group. Lucy’s times also qualified her for the National Championships in July/ August which is another first for Thame Swimming Club.