RTW Monson smash records at Kent County Championships

RTW Monson swimming club excelled at the recent Kent County Championships, finishing second in both the medals table and the points table and first in the women’s medal table. With 75 swimmers qualifying to compete at the event, held at London’s Aquatic Centre, it showcased an impressive performance from the club, who claimed 53 gold medals, 38 silver and 35 bronze across the events. 

For 15 swimmers, it was their first time qualifying for the championships and the club celebrated several swimmers who reached their first championships finals or celebrated their first county championship medals. 

The club’s senior female swimmers; Amalie Smith, Imogen Myles, Maddie Hind, Jess Gable and Scarlett Davie helped secure 14 of the 16 gold medals available in the girls’ events. Maddie Hind took home the open trophy for the 100m butterfly in a swim which set a new record for the event at this championship. 

16-year-old Amalie Smith produced a dominant series of swims, claiming victories in the 400m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley, making her one of the most successful athletes of the meet. 

Another standout performer was 17-year-old Aran Bissett, who swept the men’s sprint freestyle and butterfly events in the open category. Bissett took gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly, and was also awarded the prestigious Mike Geer Salver Award for his performances. 

In the women’s sprint events, Jess Gable, 18, was equally impressive, winning gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, along with victory in the 50m butterfly. 

Breaststroke specialist Imogen Myles secured the titles in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, while Maddie Hind captured the open 100m butterfly crown, setting a new event record for her age group. 

The 15-year-old girls delivered one of the most dominant displays of the championships. Between Julia Elvidge, Olivia Quiller and Billie Ballach, Monson swimmers claimed 15 of the 16 available gold medals in the age group. Julia E enjoyed an exceptional meet, winning the junior 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly, as well as taking both the open and junior titles in the 200m backstroke with a new event record. 

Olivia did the same in the 200m breaststroke event, winning the trophy in both the open and junior categories, and added further junior titles in the 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley. Quiller continued her impressive form in medal races, claiming gold medals in the 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 50m breaststroke, along with bronze in the 100m backstroke. 

In the boys’ events, 13-year-old Jax Marshall Jax dominated the boys’ category with an incredible medal haul of 8 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze - an outstanding championship performance. 

And 10-year-old Imogen Walpole enjoyed an exceptional meet, claiming gold in the 400m and 200m freestyle, silver in the 100m freestyle, and bronze in the 50m freestyle. 

Team spirit was a defining feature of the championships, with swimmers across all age groups supporting each other throughout the meet. The club also marked an emotional moment as Emilia Oliver, Aran Bissett and Aubry Armada Bennett competed in their final Kent Championship races after many years representing Monson. Their dedication and leadership have been an inspiration to younger swimmers in the club, and they now move on to the next stage of their swimming journeys. 

With such an impressive medal haul and strong team performances across all age groups, Monson Swimming Club will look to build on this momentum as the season continues.