Monson strike Gold at the British Nationals

Four of our Age Group swimmers travelled to Sheffield recently for the British Summer Championships. The event, held over 6 days, pits the best 24 swimmers in each age group against each other, with heats in the morning and finals in the evening. The club is delighted that Monson once again showed its strength competing in the breaststroke events claiming two gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

Competing first on day 1 was Thomas Leman (14) in the 100m Breast stroke, in the heats he swam a personal best time of 1:09.40 to qualify in second place for the 13/14 age group final. In a closely fought final he came second by just 16 hundredths of a second in 1:07.99 to break his own PB from the morning and claim a national silver medal.

In the women’s 50m breaststroke heats Stephanie Andrews (15) swam 35.40 to come 20th in the 15-year age group. Anna Leman (12) swimming in the 13/14 age group swam 34.33 4th (pb) to qualify in 4th place for the final. In the final Anna swam 34.20 (pb) to come 7th. Annabel Guye-Johnson (16) swam 32.77 to qualify in 1st place for the finals. In a thrilling final Annabel claimed her first national gold medal in 33.00.

Annabel and Thomas returned to the pool for Day 2, with Annabel competing in the 200m breaststroke heats in 2:36.96 to qualify 4th for the finals. Thomas swam 32.49 in the 50m breaststroke to qualify 6th for the finals. A well-paced swim in the final saw Annabel improve her time to 2:36.90 and maintain her 4th place in the 16-year age group. In the Men’s 13/14 50m breaststroke final a very close race was decided by the last stroke and saw Thomas swim a personal best 31.89 to win his first national gold medal.

Competing on Day 4, Thomas swam in the Men’s 200m Breast stroke heats, 2:32.58 put him safely through to the final. In the final he swam 2:33.13 to come 5th in the 13/14 age group.

On the final day of competition Anna Leman and Annabel Guye-Johnson returned for the 100m breaststroke heats. Anna swam 1:16.39 to qualify 8th for the 13/14 final and Annabel 1:12.66 to go through to the final fastest.

Returning for the finals Anna swam a personal best time of 1:15.31 to finish 5th and secure her place as fastest 13 year old. In the 16 years final Annabel won bronze in 1:11.61 to complete successful week of competition.