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Swimmers of the Killerwhales Swim Club of Havering had an excellent evening of competition at Potters Bar SC’s Winter Open Meet held at the Furzehill Centre on Saturday 29^th January. There were 4 different Age Groups (10/11 yrs; 12/13 yrs; 14/15 yrs and Open) in the gala comprising of 3 different disciplines, 50m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m Individual Medley.

Sisters Laura and Henny Andrews matched each others medals achievements throughout the evening. Laura, competing in the open section, took the gold medal in the 200m Free, Henny repeated the feat in the 14/15yr age group. Henny then came home first in the 100m IM which was emulated by Laura. They then both swam into third place in their respective 50m freestyle events. Bragging rights this time just about went to Laura who in winning the 200m free recorded a new event best time although Henny’s 200m time does qualify her for Southern Counties!

Top boy for the ‘Whales was the vivid James Shelley who, in the 14/15 yr age group won a gold medal in the 50m freestyle, this followed his earlier performances in the 100IM and 200m free where his exploits earned him a brace of silver medals.

Another Gold medalist was Katie Miles (12/13yr) who put recent disappointments aside to win the 200m free. She followed this with a silver medal in the 100IM and also took 6^th place in the 50m free. Close on her heels was another 12/13yr girl swimmer Georgia Shaw, she finished her evening swim bagging a pair of bronze medals in the 100m IM and 200m free and a 4^th place in the 50m free. Completing Killerwhales dominance of the girls 12/13 yr age group was Katinka Merchan who swam her team-mates very close taking two 4^th places in the 100m IM and 200m freestyle races.

In the girls Open section, Julia Braybrooke took 3 medals in finishing second to Laura Andrews in the 100m IM followed by two 4^th places in the 50 & 200m freestyle. Another triple medalist was the endearing Victoria Jolly, whom after coming into competitive swimming later than most is making a real effort to quickly stock her trophy cabinet by claiming a trio of 5^th places.

In the boys open section Ben Clifford Stephenson staked his medals claim with fourth place in both the 100m IM and 200m free, he then followed these with a 6^th place in the 50m. Another young lad with a hat-trick of medals was Daniel Bleach who, in the 14/15 section claimed 4^th place in 200m free, 5^th place in the 100m IM and 6^th place in the 50m.

Bronze medalist, Robyn Beadel, was followed home in the girls 14/15 100m IM by club-mate Kalei Andrews who finished in a well deserved 6^thplace. Robyn then went on to finish 5^th in the 200m freestyle. Georgia Clarke in the same group finished 6^th in the 50m free.

The team’s youngest medalist of the evening was Molly Scott who demonstrated her credentials outside of breaststroke by taking 5^th in the 50m freestyle.

Overall each swimmer performed at least one race in a new personal time much to the delight of the coaches and parents in the gallery.

Well done.