News - Counties LD 2009

Maxwell Swimmers gain National Qualification times and County Records

February was a busy month of competition for swimmers from Maxwell Swim Club. This began with the opening weekend of the Oxfordshire and North Buckinghamshire County Championships, which saw the distance events held at the Temple Cowley Pool in Oxford. This proved a highly successful start to this years campaign with Hannah Askew (17) becoming the Senior Champion in the 800m Freestyle in a time of 9:06.4. In the Boys 1500m Freestyle it was a 1-2-3 for Maxwell in the Senior Championship with Ollie Brewer (17) taking Gold in 16:16.21 and Tom Smith (18) and Rory Kemp (19), taking Silver and Bronze respectively. Maxwell's Jonny Quainton (16) became Junior Champion completing the event in 16:58.59.

More success then came in the second round of the Home Counties League. On the eve of the County Championship 400m events Maxwell fielded a strong team that managed 35 first places, 10 seconds and 5 thirds in the 50 races that were contested, against teams from Luton, Dunstable, Corby and Banbury to amass 280 points, some 38 points ahead of the second place team. Well done to all that competed and many thanks to our time keepers Phil & Peter, with special thanks to Derek Minihan, our Judge.

Further significant accomplishments followed soon thereafter. The County Championships 400m events were held at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury and saw nine Maxwell swimmers earning Gold Medals. Leah Picillo (11) impressed winning the 400m Individual Medley in 5:33.20, not only a Championship record for her age group, but also a National Qualification time in this event. She then complemented this performance by also taking Gold in the 400m Freestyle later in the day. Hannah Askew (17) produced a stunning performance in the 400m Freestyle completing the race in 4:17.14. This made her Senior Champion in what was new Championship Record time, a County Record time and a National Qualification time. Abi Bunce (14) also showed real form winning a close sprint finish to become Junior Champion in the 400m Freestyle, with a time of 4:36.05 and Sarah Powell (16) earned an Age Group Gold in this event.

Of the boys, Kenny Cliffe (13) won a hard fought Gold in the 400m Individual Medley, a race which he completed in 5:15.82; and four others - Ollie Brewer (17), Jonny Quainton (16), Alfie Bones (12) and Luke Scales (11) each won Gold in their respective Age Groups for the 400m Freestyle event. For Ollie Brewer, the 4:05.08 finish time he achieved represented the latest in a series of National Qualification times he has managed this season.