RTW Monson’s Record Medal Haul

RTW Monson’s Record Medal Haul 

It wasn’t just the sun sizzling last Bank Holiday weekend: RTW Monson Swimming Club took 11 swimmers to the Senior South East Regionals which were held at the High Wycombe Leisure Centre and over 4 days of competition they qualified for 36 finals achieving 17 medals. Head Coach Graham Bassi said ‘Without doubt it’s our first taste of success and we must celebrate that, but we also have to understand we have just climbed the first step upwards of a long ladder. We challenged and at times beat athletes from some of the top clubs in the country and I hope this will give our athletes the confidence to totally commit to the programme. We have restructured, increased training hours, employed new staff and in the very near future will bring in National expertise to educate on our Land programme. This is hopefully the start of where we want to take the club.’

There were many outstanding performances but Anna Leman’s three Golds and a Bronze in the Team Relay stood out. Bassi said ‘For me Anna’s 200 Breaststroke was the swim of the meet. To drop 3 seconds off her PB and to move from 7^thin the country to possibly Rank No.1 is an outstanding achievement.’ Anna is now ranked in medal positions for three events at the Summer National Events after winning the 50 and 100 Breaststroke.

Day 1 of the programme started well with a strong swim from Mia Burns in the 1500 Metres Front Crawl. Mia continued her improvements with a silver medal in the 200 Fly and a Team Bronze in the relay. Day 2 continued with a Silver for Tom Leman and another Gold for Annabel Guye-Johnson in the 100 Breaststroke. Annabel took time out from studies to stay race sharp in preparation for Summer Nationals and added further medals in the 50 and 200 I.M. events. She missed her favoured 200 Breaststroke event due to studies, but signs look good for another strong set of results later this year. Newcomers to this Championship Kody Bradbury and Reuben Edwards wondered what all the fuss was about both winning a Bronze medal. Bassi said ‘These two boys have consistently worked hard for me and it was very pleasing to see their efforts pay off. Both now have an outstanding chance of making Summer Nationals and I predict a strong future for them both.’

Day 3 saw another five medal haul with the Girls relay team achieving a Bronze medal. The team of Frankie Whiting, Anna Leman, Mia Burns and Rosie Compton have now qualified for Summer Nationals and in doing so beat some of the strongest teams in the Country. In the morning session, Rosie Compton won a Bronze in the 400 IM. Frankie Whiting got a further Bronze in the 100 Backstroke and Andre Strydom finished the day with a Bonze in the 200 I.M.

As temperatures broke records outside the pool on Day 4 Monson swimmers were breaking records of their own winning another five medals, 3 of them being Gold. The pick of the day was Rosie Compton’s 200 IM Gold. Only just returning from injury Rosie showed all her potential by winning the 200 IM. Tom Leman picked up a Bronze in the 200 Breaststroke to make it 17 medals and make it an outstanding weekend for the club.

Holly Hobbs and Izzy Hillsdon also made finals in the 50 Breaststroke and Front Crawl Relay team respectively.

Next weekend sees the start of the Age Group Regionals where the club are keen to replicate the Senior performances. Bassi said ‘The Age Groups are more about the potential for the future. We have some strong swimmers attending and it’s hoped progress can be made. The qualifying window for Summer Nationals is nearly over so it back to hard work and preparation for the season’s finale.’

RTW Monson is always looking for young athletes who have the desire to pursue their dreams in the pool. If you are interested in joining a high-performance team, or want to check out our ‘learn to swim’ programme, please contact us via our website: www.rtwmonson.org