Guernsey Swimming Club took 31 swimmers to Jersey to compete in the 43rd Tigers Open Meeting held at Les Quennevais Sports Centre over the 25th/26th/27th of October, the squad of swimmers had all ages from 10 years to 18 years of age, some with experience and some doing their first gala away.
Friday night was the 800m Freestyle, GSC had 7 swimmers entered into this event and everyone swam really well with all gaining new best times, Tate Loveridge had the swim of the night by lowering his best time by an incredible 48 seconds. Olly Stephens also swam a 30 second PB, setting him up nicely for a great weekend of swimming. Kadee Truffit did the exact same.
With a full schedule of swims held over 5 sessions on the Saturday and Sunday the whole team performed excellently.
All GSC swimmers gain PB’s over the entered events, Lola Williams swimming in the 12-13 400m Freestyle achieved a 32 second PB, one of many personal best that Lola gained over the weekend. William Le Tissier knocked 3 seconds of his 100 Butterfly in the 10-11 age group.
The younger swimmers all swam with heart and passion in every event they entered, loudly cheered on by their swimming mates from the side of the pool. All swimmers over the weekend gain new best times. Lily Smith in her first away Gala had a great time with PB’s all in events. Corey De Jersey, swimming in a very tough age group produced some incredible swims, gaining a great 4 second best time in the 200IM. Luke Le Cras stepped up over the weekend producing some outstanding swims gaining new PB’s in 50m Fly and 50m Freestyle but also qualifying times for the next Island Games.
Maicie Trebert-Pond had a very successful weekend gaining 5 new PB’s in the 6 events entered. The 50m Free being the highlight by swimming pass all the other competitors win her heat from Lane 1in the last 20m.
Overall GSC were presented with 6 Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals, 11 Bronze Medals we also had 6 Hot Heat Winners, winning the hot heat meant you won a prize of a large packet of chocolates, which all winners shared amongst their teammates. We also had 3 swimmers selected to swim in the closing event, a skins event. Grace King, Samuel Cann and Luke Le Cras.
Coaches Sue Chapman and Tim Pond said “We had a great weekend, successful as well, everyone swam superbly showing that the hard work in training is paying off. The team were brilliant.”
Olly Stephens stood out, Tim Pond said “Olly has not only swum brilliantly all weekend he has really encouraged every swimmer in their races and has gone over and above just being a swimmer.”
We all now look forward to the CI Championships being held in Jersey at the end of November.
Full Results available here.
