THERE was a bronze reward for a select group of AIB Tigers swimmers at Waterlooville Aquatics Centre on Saturday.
The group of four - 11year-olds Katherine Lowe, Jade Swann, Pippa Whitehead and Kerrie Smith (10) were in a number of individual events as well as two relays in the first weekend of the Hampshire championships.Despite the pressures of an intense and extremely busy schedule the girls performed a number of personal bests in their individual events and swam beyond all expectations to make the final of both the 4×50m freestyle and medley relays.The quartet showed maturity and composure in a closely fought encounter in the freestyle to secure third and a county bronze medal.The girls had a 12-minute break, just enough time to catch their breath, before they were due back in the water to compete in the last event of the afternoon, the 4×50m medley.
Although all four improved on their initial heat time it was just not enough to secure a medal- the girls edged out of third spot by a fraction of a second by fast-finishing Rushmoor.Said coach Matt Magee: ‘It’s encouraging to see the girls perform in the relays.
Relays show depth in the home programme and to get four girls who predominately swim distance and medley events in both finals is a credit to the club.’Full report in today’s JEP, on sale from 1.15 pm.
Article posted on 3rd March, 2004 - 12.00am
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