ETWALL EAGLES SWIMMING CLUB

A first British Record for an Etwall swimmer was just one of the many highlights during the three days of competition at Manchester’s aquatic Centre.

A large Eagles squad was assembled for the annual trip to the British Long Course Championships, with the Team Manager confidently predicting a medal haul in excess of the record set in 2006.

The impressive final tally of twenty-one medals including seven gold’s was in the end three times as many – but more impressive was the number of personal milestones that were achieved by the squad, indicated by the 52 clubs and 15 regional records that went tumbling.

Julie Gibson wrote her name into club history and the GB records with a stunning swim in the 200m Butterfly to take gold in the 40-44 age group. Before this swim Julie had already bagged wins in the 100m Fly and 200 Backstroke. Just for good measure Julie went onto win the 100 Freestyle adding to the silver already secured in the 400 Free rounding off an extraordinary meet.

One of the outstanding swims of the event came from Dave Holland who snatched gold in the gruelling 400m IM with an awesome last 50m sprint. Dave was in fine form throughout winning silver medals in the 200IM, 200 Back, and 800 Freestyle.

Another first for the club was gold in a national relay event. The Mixed 120 Medley relay team added the British title to the impressive list of victories. Dave ensured the quartet got off to a good start, unfortunately Chris was below his best on leg two however stunning swims from Jaq and Helen anchored the villagers to a famous victory.

Every team needs a great leader, ‘luckily’ we have Captain Briggs and her Vice Mr Vickers! The captain ensured the team got off to the perfect start with a silver in the 1500m Freestyle. The ‘Bolton Bullet’ who joined the club as a crawl swimmer has undergone a total transformation and now trades as Backstroker (although trade descriptions are investigating), however for the next twelve months (and one suspects much longer) we’ve forced to refer to him as the 40-44yrs British 100m Backstroke Champion (it hurts to type)!

With a lull in the swimming it was off to the fat machine to determine the chunky monkey winner (results of which will remain secret – although Chris is concerned ‘Garry the Colonel’ is now only 2% behind him).

Rollé and Rollé both took bronze medals in the 200IM with the more talented Rollé taking further Bronze medals in the Breaststroke events.

Ruth was in fine form through out picking up medals in the 200m Backstroke and 400m IM whilst Chris Burge when not collecting autographs around poolside looked good in the fly events especially the 200m finishing with the silver medal.

The squad were delighted to welcome back Lee to competitive action and to Jane, Martin, and Richard who all made impressive club debuts.

Bronze medals for the Ladies 160 and Men’s 120 years relay teams concluded a fantastic meet for the Eagles.

Thanks to all the Officials and Volunteers that made the event possible.

Next stop: Open water at Bosworth!

British Masters Championships - June 2008