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The Killerwhales sent swimmers from their Junior 1, Junior 2 and Intermediate squads to compete in the Borough of Walthamstow’s Secondary Age group meet last weekend. The event is for swimmers who have not competed in the Essex Championships in their particular stroke, but there were some Championship performances.

Star of the show had to be 12 year old Katinka Merchan, with a triple gold medal show. In her 1^st race the 100 fly, Katinka amazed everyone, not only by the massive p.b. but her time was her first Southern Counties time. This achievement by Katinka had only dreamed off. This was followed by gold in the 100 back and on the final session on Sunday afternoon powered away from her rivals to take her third gold of the meet in the 100m freestyle.

In the same age group Claire Wilson is beginning to show her true potential, with an excellent swim in the 100 breaststroke. Making the final in 4^th place Claire put in that extra effort to take a well deserved silver medal.

Kalei Andrews in the 13 age group won the 100 I/M convincingly. With silver in her preferred stroke Fly, it was her bronze in the breast which surprised every one. Always know as a “flyer”, is Kalei to become another Killerwhales breaststroker.

In the same age group Rachael Green just made the final as sixth fastest, but an impressive final took her through to a gallant 4^th place medal spot.

In the 14 year age group Ellena Wheatley made 5 out of 5 finals, all personal best’s to show what an all rounder and ever improving young lady Ellena is.

Susannah Haynes also 14, made a hat-trick of final appearances, with 5^th and 6^th place in the back and breast. It was in the 100 free that Susannah shone through with a battling performance and a good p.b. to take bronze. In the same age group Katherine Walsh two finals in the free and fly, continuing to benefit for the hard work put in training.

Ten year olds Heather Wilson and Molly Scott showed some of the talent coming through the Whales squads with both attaining 6 second personal bests make finals. Heather took silver in the 100 back Molly took 4^th in the 100 free, both with storming swims in the final.

Tom Bircham at 14 was a late starter into swimming, only having been in the squads six months but Tom amazed his coach and friends with some amazing swims. Tom made 4 out of 5 finals with silver in the 100 back, which was a 9 second p.b. from his last race. This was followed by bronze in the 100 free, 5^th I/M and 6^th in the fly. This young man is definitely one to watch out for in the near future.

James Croxon also made a hat-trick of finals in the free, fly and I/M. James is another swimmer making late strides in swimming and shows to all that it is never too late to take up this sport competitively.

Johnny Congdon at 13 keeps going from strength to strength with four finals including a bronze in the breast, and medals in the free, back and I/M. Johnny is a strong young man and will continue to pick up medals all the way.

Lee Parker made three finals and showed his character by beating swimmers in the final that were in front of him in the heats. With two 4^th places it was Lee’s 100 fly which was great to watch, with a three second p.b in the heats Johnny took another three seconds off his p.b. to take well deserved silver.

Toby Andrews in the 10 year age group gained bronze in the I/M and 4^th place in the back in a very competitive age group, which needed p.b. in both events just to make the final.

Joe Worboyes and Gavin Johnson both made two finals each, with Joe taking medals in the back and fly with Gavin taking medals in the free and breast, well done boys.