St Mary's Calne
The Southwest ESSA Relay qualifying round takes place every September at Millfield School. Once the results are consolidated from other competitions, the top 30 schools in the country are invited to compete in the final, which will be held in Birmingham's Sandwell Aquatic Centre, which was the venue for swimming at last year's Commonwealth Games. It is a fabulous experience for pupils to compete against some of the fastest swimmers in the country, some of whom may go on to swim for Great Britain in the future.
Millfield Swimming Pool was incredibly busy for warm-up, with limited time and space to get a feel for the water. It was split into age groups, however, with so many competitors, every lane was chock-a-block. The team weren't fazed though and continued with their planned warm-up, fitting in a couple of racing starts each to familiarise themselves with different starting blocks and prepare themselves to race.
There were some superb performances in the 4 x 50m Medley and Freestyle relays, with many of the team achieving personal best times in both events. Flo B (UIV) was in incredible form, her 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle swims were excellent personal bests, for which she deserves the accolade of St Mary’s 'Outstanding Swimmer' of the day. Ava (MIV) was also in super form, producing big personal best times in the 50m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle.
In the Inters, Flo P (LV), Nara (LV), Flo B (UIV) and Morolayo (UIV), competing in the Medley relay and Flo P, Mathilda (UIV), Nara and Flo B in the Freestyle relay, produced the fastest times St Mary’s have ever swum in any age group. Very Impressive!
Well done team!
Mrs Nikki Harris, Swimming Coach