South Lincs Competitive Swimming Club

Lincs League Round 1, Lincoln – 29th January 2005

We kicked off our 2005 League programme with a visit to the Yarborough pool in Lincoln. This was always going to be a difficult event for the Squad, having suffered lots of defeats in 2004 and having me as a new Coach there was clearly a mixture of emotions.

I believe that Team spirit is improving and confidence in the swimmers own ability will return. It was the youngest age group that provided the first real spark and the South Lincs cheers went up as the 10/under Girls Freestyle team of Chloe Hannam, Jess Whyte, Philippa West and Highbury Gay stormed home to win their relay by a massive 6 second margin.

Five events later Ben Marsters secured one of our two individual wins with an Open 100 metres Breaststroke victory. It was another 8 events before the next outright win this being provided by the senior girls Freestyle team of Lucy Nell, Georgia Croxford, Rebecca Handley and Hayley Brooker. Great Performance Ladies!!

This was quickly followed by the 10/under girls who completed the double when winning the Medley relay for their age group. Well done to Highbury Gay, Chloe Hannam, Jess Whyte and Philippa West. This was excellent swimming.

Clearly first places were at a premium and we were to gain one more individual success when Tom Lane held off the opposition to secure first in the boys 12/under 50 Metre fly event. Well done Tom!!

Although wins were few and far between the whole team battled hard with all swimmers doing exactly what was asked of them, even swimming events that they would prefer not to do. The rejuvenated team spirit was definitely in evidence and will only continue to grow in the coming weeks. My thanks to everyone who helped on poolside in any capacity and to all the parents for getting our swimmers to Lincoln and in good spirits to swim well.

Greg Marsters 30/01/05