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Killerwhales had 31 swimmers competing at Bishop Stortford Swimming Club’s 11^th Annual Sprint Gala at Harlow Town Pool on Saturday 10^th July. The format of 4 disciplines over 50m plus 100m Individual Medley made for a full days worth of good entertainment.

Undeniably the best killerwhales performer on the day was Jodie Momodu who took the gold medal in all 5 of her nine year age group events. Her strength and technique for one so young are very impressive and kept her clear of her rivals, one being team-mate Sophia Potamitis. Sophia also had a very impressive set of results finishing 2^nd to Jodie in the 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke was followed by 4^th spot in the 50m free.

In the girls 10 yrs age group Christina Stenson, Heather Wilson and Molly Scott all had fine swims with each managing to improve on previous race times by some margin.

Georgia Shaw swam very well in her races claiming silver in very solid 50m freestyle, this result was complimented with two bronze medals in the 100m IM and the 50m backstroke and a hard fought 5^th place in the 50m butterfly. 11 year old team-mate Zoe Potamitis had a good days swimming, showing the gallery her stylish action whilst claiming several new best times.

The girls 12 yrs section was very well represented by killerwhales with 6 team-mates competing. Robyn Beadel continues to grow in confidence and is starting to show consistency in her performances with a pair of silver medals in the 50m backstroke and butterfly and a 4 place for her 100m IM. Katie Miles looked very good throughout her 100m medley performance to take a well deserved bronze and was unlucky to finish just outside to top six in the other 4 events by 100^ths of a second. Kalei Andrews proved her stamina by finishing 5^th in the medley. The other girls in this section were Amy Hime, Claire Wilson and Joanna Johnstone who all managed to improve on past performances.

Georgia Clarke, Henny Andrews, Katherine Walsh, Rachel Green and Susannah Haynes all competed for the 13 year old section. Some very impressive new personal best times were posted by these girls which were backed-up by Henny taking a 50m breaststroke bronze medal, a 4^th place 100m IM and a 6^th place 50m freestyle.

Henny’s older sister Laura continued the medal haul by claiming a hard fought 6^th place in the 15+ years age group. Victoria Jolly also swam well in the same age group taking chunks off her previous times.

All of the boys performed very well with many setting new personal best times. The youngest boy competing, 9 year old Toby Andrews added to the families medal haul by taking a superb 4^th place in the 100m individual medley, and three further 6^th places were recorded in the 50m back, fly and free events.

Lewis Clifford-Stephenson was again very stylish in the 10yr age group. Gold in the 100m individual medley was followed up with three bronze medals in the 50m breast, back and fly. A fifth place in the 50m freestyle completed a fines day’s application. Another 10 year old Sam Sparks again swam well achieving new performance times.

The 11 yr section was represented by the fast improving Lee Parker. Lee like many of the killerwhales impressed in the longer distance and more technical event, the 100m individual medley taking 6^th place, he went one better in the 50m free by taking 5^th place.

Andrew Dawkins competing against other 12 year olds continued his steady progress with new best times in a few of his races. The 13 year old were well represented by Daniel Bleach, James Croxon and Toby Davis. Daniels best finish of 3^rd in the medley was followed with two fourth places in the fly and back, a 5^th place in the freestyle completed the awards. James Croxon was very unlucky to finish outside of the medals when looking impressive in his medley, backstroke and fly events. Toby Davis took home 4 medals the more impressive actually being his sixth places in the butterfly and freestyle events, two fifth places in the medley and breaststroke completed his tally.

14 year old Gavin Johnstone and James Shelley both swam well and were unlucky not to grad a place in their respective 50m breaststroke and freestyle events where they were 100^ths of a second behind sixth place. However the unluckiest killerwhales swimmer on the day was Joe Worboys, who having just turned 15 was up against the really big lads in all of his events, having competed well in his earlier races he was looking forward to the IM, on the blocks he gave his goggles a final tweak when they broke, the competitor behind Joe must have realised the threat he posed and refused to lend Joe his goggles for the race.

The final word must be saved for the hosting club who again organised a great gala and executed the plan well. The clubs new electronic timing system was a real treat and an audible sound system made the announcer job worthwhile, there was even quiet at the start of the races. Well done to all.