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Killerwhales sent an inexperienced squad to Barnet Copthall Swim Club’s 50m Sprints Meet, another of the North West London clubs well run Dan Davies Development series gala. The event held at Copthall Pools was the first ever competitive outing for many of the team made up from Super Group and Junior 2 squads.

Coaches Penny Stratford and Jan Hegman watched in some amazement as their young charges posted times that were seconds quicker than the personal bests and card entry times. In total there were 57 swims of which 52 were in improved times.

Top performer was Tom Bircham who took a place in all four of the boys 13 years events. A fine second place in the 50m breaststroke was the highlight with a great 3^rd place in the backstroke. A butterfly 4^th place was followed with a 5^th place in the freestyle.

In the boys under 10’s young Tom Web took a deserved 6^th place in the breaststroke he also swam well to claim8th in the freestyle and 15th in backstroke. Kirsty Shall was another top six finisher who swam very competently in the girls 13 years events, she claimed 6th breaststroke, 8th backstroke and 11th in the freestyle. Another 13 year old Victoria Beaumont swam very well in four races, her best finish 6th in the butterfly was followed with a 7th place in backstroke, 8th place in the breaststroke and 9th place in the freestyle.

The youngest girl competing for the whales was Annabelle Jolly in the 9 yrs age group, her beast finish of 15th in the backstroke was repeated in the breaststroke with 20th in the freestyle.

In the girls 10 years age group the 'experienced' Heather Wilson was joined by the novice Georgia Beadel. Heather best finishing position was 8th in the backstroke followed by 12th in the butterfly, other positions were 18th, freestyle and 21st,  breaststroke. Georgia in her first ever gala was 17th in the breaststroke, 24th in backstroke and 30th in the freestyle.

There were four girls in the 11yrs age group. Megan Davis finished 18th, 20th  and 21st in the breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke. Grace Jolly was 10th, 15th and 18th in the breaststroke, backstroke and freestyle. Jemma Shall was 19th, 20th and 22nd in the breaststroke, backstroke and freestyle. Sarah Thomas managed 14th in the backstroke and 17th in both freestyle and breaststroke races.

Chelsea Buchanan and Lily King represented the club in the 12 year section. Lily swam in all four events finishing in 11th, 13th , 14th and 15th in her fly, back, free and breaststroke races. Chelsea had her highest position in the breaststroke (13th) and 14th and 16th in the backstroke and freestyle.

Lewis Bruniges was the youngest killerwhales boy in the 9years age group. he managed a 12th position in the breaststroke and 19th in the backstroke (Lewis final position in Freestyle is still to be confirmed). Tom Skingsley competing in the 10 yr section was 11th in the breaststroke and 17th in both the back and freestyle competitions.

Sam Sparkes and Michael Walsh were both competing in the 11 years section. Sam competed in four events finishing 14th & 15th in the back and fly events and 18th & 19th in the freestyle and breaststroke. Michael was 12th in his breaststroke races and 15th and 22nd in backstroke and freestyle events.