News - 2005 Districts

Busy Time for Maxwell Swimmers

With the District Championships and the Maxwell Open meet happening at the same time, it has been a busy month for Maxwell swimmers.

At the end of May, the older swimmers kicked off the District Youth Swimming Championships in Coventry with some spectacular results. Sarah Turner excelled herself, bringing home four medals, three of which were Gold. Sarah came first in the 400m and 800m freestyle events and second in the 200m. She also claimed Gold in the 100m backstroke, with a creditable fourth place in the 200m backstroke.

Ed Downes also managed to bring back two Gold’s in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley. He also achieved a fourth place in the 100m breaststroke – demonstrating once again that he is one of the best all-round swimmers in the country at the moment.

Hana Capstick gained second place in the 200m butterfly to get a well earner silver medal. Other finalists from the club included Hannah askew who made the finals of the 100m butterfly, the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle. Natasha Mason also made the final of the 100m butterfly.

On the weekend of the Maxwell Open meet it was the turn of the younger swimmers to be sent to Coventry. Lucy Tucker (aged 13), Ollie Brewer (13), Briony Evertt (13), Sophie Elgar (11), Dominic Minihan (10), Alex Galun (10) and Anna Evison (10 ) had between them no less than 37 swims in the District Championships. Ollie Brewer made the final of the 400m Individual Medley and Lucy Tucker showed what a great prospect she is as a freestyler by making the finals of the 100mm, 200m and 800m freestyle events.

Back home at the AquaVale pool, the Maxwell club played host to one of its major events of the year. Around 250 swimmers from 20 clubs descended on Vale Park for the day. Between them they had over 1200 swims and clocked up well over 100km in the pool.

Maxwell swimmers achieved a creditable 11 first places and 106 top 8 places during the day. All the swimmers gave it their all in a high class meet. 12 year old Hollie McIntyre swam exceptionally well to get a second place in 100m butterfly, a first place in the 100m freestyle and got a speeding ticket for being too fast in the 100m breaststroke. Also swimming well was Keiran Coll who came first in the 100m freestyle for 10 year olds.

Overall the team showed great spirit and worked hard to support their club mates. Particularly supportive was 17 year old Stuart Reid who, as well as gaining 3 second places and 2 third places, worked tirelessly supporting and coaching his younger team mates. With many swimmers competing in 6 or 7 races, it was an exhausting Day, but a great experience for all.

(Article written by Ian Moss and first published in the Bucks Herald on 22/6/05)