Welcome to the round up of the second Chorley Harriers Junior Aquathlon 2011. The venue was Brinscall leisure centre on Sunday the 18th September 2011, where all competitors were required to do a timed swim in the pool followed by a timed run around the lake outside the leisure centre. The distances for the running and the swimming are different for each age category according to official British Triathlon Federation (BTF) rules.The rules are simple the fastest combined swim & run times are the winners. See the table below. The weather was with us this year, and the swimmers that turned out did our club proud, some really great performances from all, both in and out of the pool. Chorley Harriers had a photographer there from www.bidiphotos.com and the pictures can be seen by clicking here: Starting the proceedings were Kayden & Rebecca in the under 9's category, and a great performance from Kayden saw him take 1st place closely followed by Rebecca in 2nd. Well done both of you. In the next event, the girls aged 9-10 category saw a closely fought battle for 1st place between Maddie and Elizabeth with Lizzie taking the swim by a mere 2 seconds, but Maddie ran a great race with Jessica from Chorley Harriers breathing down her neck, but she was determined that no one was passing her and she held off the attack from Jessica to take victory by 2 seconds and to win the event overall. Chloe Cottam also put in a great performance to seal 3rd place, well done girls a Chorley Marlins 1-2-3.A special mention and sportsmanship award goes to Rhyanna Wilson who saw that her team mate was struggling and went back to run with her, and they both crossed the finish together. Well done both of you. The next event, the boys aged 9-10 category saw the tightest fought battle for 1st and 2nd, with Callan and Ben vying for the top spot. Callan took the honors in the pool by 12 seconds but Ben ran an exceptional 4mins 8secs for the 1k, so we could only watch as Callan pushed for the line.......10 seconds behind Ben which meant overall Callan had snatched victory over Ben by a mere 2 seconds, both lads deserve applause and we look forward to the rematch next year :) Ethan Neilson's great performance both in the pool and on the run saw him take 3rd place. well done to all the boys who took part. The girls aged 11-12 category saw a Chorley Marlins 1-2-3 again with Hannah, Anna and Kelly-Anne taking the medal positions. The honors were even between Hannah and Anna with Anna taking victory in the pool and 2nd on the run and Hannah taking 2nd on the swim but romping home in 1st place on the run to take victory overall. The boys aged 11-12 category was another close battle overall for 1st and 2nd between Ben and Nathan, but Ben swam a great race finishing 1st and he came home in 2nd place on the run to take the victory overall by 5 seconds. I have to mention that Nathan's time for the run of 5mins 41secs was outstanding that's more or less a 6min mile very well done. Finishing in 3rd overall was Lorcan, well done to all that took part. The boys and girls aged 13 and over all swam separately but they were all released together for the 3k run , James Highcock completed the run first with Jack Dandy close behind and in the end only 10secs separated the two with James taking the victory and Jack finishing 2nd in the 13-14 Boys category. In the girls 13-14 category Alexis Robinson from Chorley Harriers took victory overall with Martha Horton a close 2nd, and in the 15 youth age group only 2 girls took part with Anna Hopkin from Chorley Harriers taking 1st place and Emma Heald from Chorley Marlins taking 2nd. A BIG well done to you all without which the event wouldn't taken place. See the results spreadsheet below. Note: Focus column gives pointer for improvement for next year High positive score = work on your swimming High negative score = work on your running Around zero score = you have the balance about right, but keep going on both!
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CHORLEY MARLINS WIN PROMOTION IN TO MICROLEAGUE DIVISION 'A' I have seen many many superb swims, 1st places, personal bests, county and regional times achieved but this has to be one of the best galas I have ever been to. It was quite simply a fantastic performance by all of our swimmers. 16 Girls and 16 boys took part in the Gala held at Blackpools Palatine Swimming Pool. Chorley competed against the excellent teams from Division A, Lancaster and Blackpool and from Division B Clitheroe. The meet was raced over 49 races 16 relay events, 32 individual events and finished of with the Canon an 8 person team relay. Swimming for the Girls: Elizabeth Woodcock, Charlotte Lavin, Rhyanna Wilson, Maddie Kennedy, Eleanor Anwyl, Chloe Cottam, Sian Ormesher, Mariette Braithwaite, Lydia Wilcock, Alex Highcock, Caitlin Thompson, Megan Ireland, Kelly Anne Roscoe, Anna Doughty, Hannah Lavin, Kaitlin Wilson. Swimming for the Boys: Luka Hyam, Mason Fowler, Connor Stevens, Jack Wilson, Ben Hughes, Lorcan Hart, Dan Hurst, Callan Sharples, Adam Parks, Steven Hancock, Oliver Derby, Ben Gibbs, Callam Pritchard, Connah Chadwick, Jack Hardman. At the end of the Gala Chorleys swimmers had finished in the following positions. 1st Place 10 2nd Place 18 3rd Place 7 That is a fantastic 35 podium finishes from only 49 events. The final positions were: 1st Blackpool 155pts 2nd Chorley 120pts 3rd Clitheroe 112pts 4th Lancaster 99pts What makes this gala even better is that not only have we gained promotion to Division A we put on a great performance against Division A opposition and I am sure that we will make a tough team to beat next year. A special mention should be given to our 9yr and under Girls team of Maddie Kennedy, Elizabeth Woodcock, Charlotte Lavin and Rhyanna Wilson. Not only did the girls not get beaten in any relay event all season, during the final they won every single event in their age group including all 4 single stroke discipline races. Lets keep up the good work girls and make a big effort for next season. I wish I could mention everybodies achievments individually but I would be typing all night so I will mention just one of our swimmers, Anna Doughty. For Anna this was her last Microleague event after several years in the competition Anna completed what has proved to be her best ever season, having swam in 10 individual events she won an amazing 9 of them and was narrowly pipped into a 2nd in the 10th. This is a fantastic achievment for both Anna and Chorley Marlins. Lets hope her efforts are inspiration for our younger swimmers to work hard and continue the great results the club is having. Well done Anna everyone is very proud of you. So to finish of I would like to simply say well done to everyone and lets keep up the good work and take that team spirit we all showed during the weekend into next season. Well done. Marlins Making Waves in Sheffield. On Sunday 28th August 36 swimmers, 16 girls and 20 boys from our club crossed the Pennines to compete in the 27th Dukeries Open Swimming Meet at Sheffield’s National Sports Centre, Ponds Forge. This annual meet saw teams from 39 clubs take part in 16 individual events and 12 relay events. Each swimmer is grouped by age and sex and competes against other swimmers within that group. Awards are given for the top 6 placed finishers for each race. The Girls were: Elizabeth Woodcock, Rhyanna Wilson, Maddie Kennedy, Eleanor Anwyl, Mariette Braithwaite, Chloe Cottam, Alexandra Highcock, Caitlin Wilson, Caitlin Thompson, Megan Ireland, Anna Doughty, Anna Nikolakis, Rhiannon Crist, Nicole Coombes, Martha Horton and Fionnula Hart The Boys were: Henry Wilson, Conner Stevens, Mason Fowler, Callan Sharples, Luka Hyam, Dominic Lewis, Jack Wilson, Lorcan Hart, Stephen Hancock, Tom Mainon, Callum Pritchard, Ben Gibbs, Jack Dandy, Scott Beaumont, Harry England, Sam Parr, Alex Walmsley, Oliver Horton, James Highcock and Philip Carr The first event was the 100m Breaststroke and straight away saw Marlins win 3 medals Stephen Hancock got the ball rolling with a Bronze, James Highcock a well deserved 6th place and Anna Doughty was crowned Girls 12/13yr old Champion.This seemed to set the tone for the day and saw Marlins take 7 medals from the next event the 50m Butterfly. Luka Hyam and Callan Sharples getting a Bronze and a 4th in the 9yr old boys race then Lorcan Hart produced a great swim to grab 6th in the 10yr old race. Jack Dandy was next to win a medal when he took Gold in the 11/12yr old category then James Highcock was narrowly piped into 2nd in the 14yr old race. Two further medals were won by the girls, Elizabeth Woodcock swimming in her 1st competitive long course race took a great 5th place in the 9yr old race and then Anna picked up her 2nd medal with 5th place in the 11/12yr olds race. Shortly after Jack added a 5th in the 100m freestyle and a 4th in the 50 backstroke taking his tally to three. Not to be outdone Anna and James both picked up their 3rd medal of the morning with Anna taking 5th in the 100m Freestyle and James another closely fought 2nd in the 50m Backstroke. Soon after another one of our first timers Conner Stevens took 4th place in the 9yr old boys 50m Backstroke. Marlins swimmers were now in the zone and were soon back in the medals with Stephen Hancock picking up 4th in the 100m boys Butterfly. Then came the blue ribbon event the 50m Freestyle, with more than 165 girls and 140 boys taking part, this is the event that everyone wants to win. To be crowned the fastest swimmer for your age group is a great achievement. What an achievement it was Marlins picked up 7 medals from this event with Jack Dandy and Anna Doughty winning Gold and making it a clean sweep in the 11/12yr old category. Other medals came from James Highcock, 2nd, Elizabeth and Conner each a 4th with Maddie Kennedy and Callan Sharples each getting a 6th. Anna’s time saw her finish 6th overall and qualified her for the 50m Freestyle swim of final ‘The Skins’ at the end of the day. Further medals followed with Callum Pritchard a 5th in the 100m Backstroke, Anna picked up her 5th medal with an excellent swim to take 3rd in the Girls 100m Backstroke. Scott Beaumont was next to grab a medal with a 5th in the Boys 50m Breaststroke closely followed by Stephen who finished 6th to pick up his 3rd medal of the day. It didn’t stop there James finally got the recognition he deserved for a days hard work and was crowned 13/14yr old Boys 50m Breaststroke Champion. Maddie Kennedy then picked up her 2nd medal with a 6th place in the girls 9yr 50m Breaststroke. Next came the turn of Alex Highcock, having seen her big brother take Gold she produced her best swim of the day and took a superb Silver in the 50m 10yr old Girls Breastroke narrowly missing out on gold by less than 4 tenths of a second. Finishing of the individual races was Anna who picked up her 6th medal of the day a Silver in the 11/12yr old 50m breaststroke. 32 Medals from individual swims, what an achievement. Now for the relay teams. Swam over 200m in 3 different age categories, 10 and under, 12 and under and 14 and under in both freestyle and Medley disciplines Medals were awarded for top 3 places. Marlins teams collected a huge 10 medals. These medals came as follows. BOYS: 10 yr & U ‘A’ Team. Silver in the Freestyle Silver in the Medley 10 yr & U ‘B’ Team. Bronze in the Freestyle 12 yr & U. Gold in the Freestyle Gold in the Medley 14 yr & U. Bronze in the Freestyle Bronze in the Medley GIRLS: 10 yr & U Bronze in the Freestyle Silver in the Medley 12 yr & U Silver in the Medley Particular mention should go to the boys 12 yr & U team of Stephen Hancock, Ben Gibbs, Scott Beaumont and Jack Dandy. After not being permitted to swim in the race 200m medley race due to an error by a race official they had to swim in a lane during the 14yr olds 200m freestyle event. Without competitive swimmers to pace themselves against they had to go it alone and swam against the clock in a hope to beat the times from the previous race. They all swam superbly and achieved a winning time with over 3 seconds to spare, well done guys. The final event of the day was the 50m Skins Final. For those who weren’t there a skins race is a knockout competition whereby after each swim the slowest competitor is eliminated until the final 2 remain and go head to head to be crowned Sprint Champion. As I mentioned early Ann had qualified as the 6th fastest for the race which bearing in mind she was the youngest competitor to be in the race is a fantastic achievement in itself. Anna was swimming against the cream of the swimmers at the event. She did amazingly well and battled through 5 hard fought rounds before being eliminated in the 6th round. This truly is a tremendous achievement, one which we should all be proud of. At only 12 years old to finish as 4th fastest Girl in the entire competition deserves a huge pat on the back and just goes to show what dedication to your training can achieve. Well done Anna I can’t wait to see you swim again next year. If you have managed to keep reading this far it doesn’t stop there. Three of our swimmers were also named in the swimmer of the competition awards. Jack was rightfully awarded Best Boy for the 11/12yr old category for his efforts throughout the day. James came 2nd overall in the 14yr old boys category and Anna was piped by only 1pt finishing 2nd in the 11/12yr old girls category. Finally, after winning an unbelievable 42 medals Chorley Marlins Swimming Club (one of the smallest clubs at the event) took Bronze in the overall club points standings. This is a superb result for our club, to finish 3rd from 39 clubs against teams from Rotherham, Potters Bar and Wakefield is further evidence that just goes to show how good this club is, from the quality of the training and teaching staff to the dedicated parental supporters, backroom staff and hard working committee. We should all be very proud of what we have achieved. On that note I should say a big Thankyou to all of the parents who sat in the sweltering heat to support the children you all deserve a medal. Well done everyone, I look forward to the Microleague swim of Final and the final round of the North Lancs competition. Keep up the good work. BIG Stu. Chorley Marlins have finished an amazing swimming season by being crowned Micro league Division B Champions! The Microleague contains all the North Lancashire teams in a divisional format with 8 teams in Division B. Each team must complete in 4 separate, fast paced swimming galas against 4 other teams in the division. The age groups involved are boys and girls from 9 to 12 years old and it is really a team event as there are 49 events to each gala. Points are awarded for individual and relay events with 4 for a win, to 1 point for 4th place and ensures a very close gala as relays are worth double points and events can go down to the very last race! The total points from all the galas are collated and Chorley came out top with a fantastic 576 points with Clitheroe A 2nd with 523 points and now they now go into a swim off in September aiming for promotion to Division A. Marlins won 3 out of their 4 gala’s this year with a very tight second place [2 points] in the other travelling to Liverpool, Burnley, Blackpool and with a home gala at All Seasons whilst competing against Clitheroe A, Garston A, Ormskirk A, Burley Aquatics A, Garstang A, Blackburn A and Blackpool B during the course of the season. The Microleague gives a chance for the clubs younger swimmers to be blooded in competitive racing environment and Chorley’s newest team members, the 9 year old boys & girl’s teams did the club proud. The girl’s team remained unbeaten in relay events throughout this season, pickup up a maximum 32 points and with 9 year old Elizabeth Woodcock in the top 10 girl’s individual performers for the whole division in her first Microleague season. The fact that Chorley Marlins had 4 girls; Anna Doughty [12], Kelly-Ann Roscoe [11], Mariette Braithwaite [10] and Elizabeth Woodcock [9], with Stephen Hancock [11] for the boys in the individual top 10 divisional statistics and 3 of the girls relay teams in the top 10 girls team statistics shows the strength and depth of the whole squad with each and every member of the team playing their part. Head coach Mary Parkinson said “the whole club is extremely proud of the way the Microleague team squad has performed this year. They not only swam magnificently in all the galas this year but also conducted themselves brilliantly with every team member cheering and supporting each other. They were also supported by the noisiest set of parents in the division! People knew when Marlins has been racing!” she added “We have been very strong in all age groups and I have been able to bring swimmers in to replace others with no effect on performance or results. Whilst looking forward to the swim off with the existing team, we also have to start planning for next year, so one of our priorities is developing our younger swimmers to replace the 9 years olds moving age groups” The swim off takes place in Blackpool Palatine on 10th September and Chorley will be competing against Clitheroe A from Division B, Blackpool A and Lancaster A from Division A with the top 2 teams competing in Division A next season so GOOD LUCK MARLINS! Everyone had a great time recently at the Anderton Centre, on Chorley Marlins team building day out.
The day consisted of the group being split into 4 teams (Jack's Team, Alex's Team, James' Team & Sam's Team) with each team competing in raft building and then racing the rafts out on the lake and back again. The winning team was the first to race out on the lake and back again, and then to dismantle their raft. During the raft building James was complaining that he was at a disadvantage because he had all the nine year olds and they were half the size of him, not that Alex wasn't winding him up :) Jack's team took the early lead closely followed by Alex's and Sam's teams with James' team bringing up the rear, but then disaster struck Jack and Alex's rafts collided and Jack's raft lost a barrel, this upset the leading 3 teams but James' team kept their cool to steal the lead, and it was there that they finished with ease, a good 20m in the lead, then it was quickly up onto the bank to strip down their raft to seal their victory. How true is it that it's not where you start it's where you finish that counts :) - it looks like all those little nine year olds were a blessing in the weight saving department eh! James :) The day ended with a swim in the icy water from the middle of the lake to the shore, I take my hat off to you all it looked very cold to me so well done all.Anyway check out the pictures of the day, and thanks to everyone that participated I haven't laughed that much in a long time very well done to you all. |