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The Killerwhales Swim Club of Havering sent a squad ranging in experience to the Furzehill Centre at Potters Bar on Saturday 25^th June. A good meeting was had by all with some of the novices picking up their first medals alongside their more senior club mates. In age groups of 9/10 years, 11/12 years, 13/14 years, 15/16 years and 17+ years races were either 50m for the juniors up to 12 years old or 100m for 13 and over. Medals were awarded to the top six of which the Killerwhales took 66 medals with 38 being either gold, silver or bronze.

In imperious form was 15 year old Kirsty Forbes who set 5 new meet records when taking five gold medals from each of her swims, such was her impressive performances that her 100m backstroke time was within the Commonwealth Games Trial time although unfortunately a week late for consideration.

Julia Braybrooke in the 17 and over age group also produced an impressive medal haul taking gold in the 100m Individual Medley, Butterfly and Backstroke, and silver in the Breaststroke and Freestyle.

16 year old boys captain, Daniel Hime was a class above his rivals taking 4 gold's in the medley, fly, breast and back. In the 100 freestyle Daniel managed third with team mates Ben Clifford-Stephenson in 4^th and Vice-Captain David Haynes in 6th. David also took bronze in the butterfly with Ben in 5^th. Ben also took a very creditable 4^th place in the medley.

Ben’s younger brother 11 year old Lewis was up against older boys in the 11/12 years section but managed to hold his own taking three gold's in the 100m IM, 50m fly and 50m breaststroke, with two silvers in the 50m backstroke and freestyle. His team mate Lee Parker looked in great form taking a superb gold in the 50m freestyle, with 2^nd in the 50m butterfly and 6^th in the 50m breaststroke.

Henny Andrews in the 13/14 age took gold medals in the 100m medley and breaststroke adding a 6^th place in the backstroke where 13yr old Robyn Beadel took the bronze medal, Robyn recently back from an appendix operation also took 4^th place in the medley. 14yr old Susannah Haynes was majestic in her 100m freestyle taking a well deserved silver medal. Another silver medallist in the same age group was 13 year old Ellen Scott who claimed 2^nd place in the medley followed with 4^th in the butterfly, in the same event a beaming Kalei Andrews took at great fifth place. Katherine Walsh swam very well in the 100m breaststroke taking 4^th place. Trying very hard was Katie Miles who was not to be put off by finishing just outside the medals with three 7^th places and an 8^th by taking 6^th placer in the 100m fly. Rachel Green’s best finish was 12^th in the fly where she set a new personal best time, she also set a new time for her freestyle, as did Amy Hime and Joanna Johnston. Amy also improved her IM time and Josie Larkin had a fine performance in the backstroke where she again improved on her previous time. Hollie Buchanan tried extremely hard in all of her races fading slightly in the final 25m, her best place was 24^th.

Katinka Merchan’s recent fine form continued with gold in the 11/12 yr 50m backstroke, silver in the 50m fly and 4^th in the 100m medley. Her team mate Georgia Shaw swam well to take silver in the 50m free, she also took 5^th in the medley and backstroke and 6^th in the fly. In the same age group were Chelsea Buchanan, Megan Davis, Lily King and Molly Scott and whilst not in the medals they had some fine swims setting new personal best times. Chelsea’s best finish was 31^st in the demanding butterfly, Megan set a new best in the free and back. Lily set a new P.B. in the medley as did Molly who also improved on her previous backstroke time.

Youngsters Heather Wilson and Georgia Beadel both took medals in the 9/10 age group. Heather swam well for her silver medal in the 50m backstroke and more impressively for bronze in the 100m medley. Novice Georgia Beadel was absolutely delighted to take 4^th place in the 50m breaststroke in what was only her third open gala.

Another youngster in the boys section 9/10 years, Toby Andrews is proving to be a very competitive all round swimmer taking four 5^th places in the 100m medley, and 50m backstroke, freestyle and butterfly.

Young Joe Sissons set new best times in all of his four races. Also in the same boys 11/12 age group was Laurence Greenway who managed PB’s in his breast and medley races as did Michael Walsh who also improved his 50m free where Sam Sparks also managed a best time. Tom Webb swam to a best place 11^th in a new P.B also improving his 100m medley, back, and fly times.

In the girls 15/16 yr age group Janine Rayner impressed with an excellent silver in the 100m breaststroke and 4^th place in the 100m medley. 15 yr old team mate Lauren Andrews is getting back to near her previous times and took a great bronze in the 100m fly, followed with 6^th in the 100m medley and 5^th in the 100m free where she finished just ahead of 16year old Laura Andrews. Laura managed a great bronze medal in the medley and also took 5^th in the fly and 6^th in the backstroke. Alice Scott’s best finish was 8^th in the ‘backstroke’?? and although she did not compete in the second session had set a new best time in the 100m medley, an event which also saw Ellena Wheatley improve her time.