A superb weekend of swimming from the Chorley Marlins swimmers. What a weekend it was in Blackpool, we had 36 swimmers representing Chorley Marlins at the event, and phew what an event it turned out to be. Out of those 36 swimmers we had:
Not to mention the numerous PB's that were smashed as well, and also we had some County Qualifying times too. Everyone who entered deserves to be congratulated on doing yourselves and the club proud. Swimming for the Boys: Connor Stevens, Luka Hyam, Mason Fowler, Ben Hughes, Bradley Astles, Callan Sharples, Dominic Lewis, Stephen Hancock, Tom Mainon, Adam Parkes, Callum Pritchard, Ben Gibbs, Oliver Darby, Connah Chadwick, Sam Parr, Alex Walmsley, Jack Dandy, Harry England, Oliver Horton, James Highcock and Tom Gibbs. Swimming for the Girls: Charlotte Lavin, Rhyanna Wilson, Maddie Kennedy, Elizabeth Woodcock, Chloe Cottam, Eleanor Anwyl, Sian Ormesher, Caitlin Wilson, Alex Highcock, Kelly-Anne Roscoe, Anna Nikolakis, Louisa Brophy, Hannah Lavin, Martha Horton and Rhiannon Crist. The results sheets are attached below. ![]()
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![]() A fantastic team swim for Chorley Marlins in the first round of the North West National Arena League Gala. On the 8th October 2011 Chorley Marlins took part in the opening round of the NW Arena League. Even though the squad were missing some swimmers and with the addition of a few swimmers new to the rigors of the tough Arena League competition, it was a brilliant display with some great performances both in the relays and individual events. The Team Line Up: Bootle & North Liverpool Bury & Elton Chadderton Chorley Marlins Lancaster City Wrexham Swimming for the girls: Caitlin Thompson, Mariette Braithwaite, Alex Highcock, Megan Ireland, Anna Doughty, Martha Horton, Kelly Roscoe, Caitlin Wilson, Rhiannon Crist, Emma Heald, Millie Greenslade, Emily Barclay, Lizzie Undrell, Claire Dixon, Polly Greenslade, Holly Sofield. Swimming for the boys: Callan Sharples, Stephen Hancock, Adam Parkes, Bradley Astles, Ben Gibbs, Alex Walmsley, Jack Dandy, Sam Parr, Tom Gibbs, Harry England, Daniel Jump, James Highcock, Christian Lawless, Will Hawkes. That night in Salford at the Broughton pool we witnessed a great evening's entertainment with Chorley Marlins taking an early 2nd place after 10 events and then continuing to swim strongly to maintain that second place all the way to the end, and to do that with a depleted squad of 14 boys and 16 girls for 50 events is impressive to say the least. Usually a swimmer would probably swim in 3 or 4 events but Mary the Head Coach had to do an incredible juggling act to make the numbers up, and this resulted in some swimmers taking part in 5 or 6 events sometimes almost one event straight after the other. I must point out that some swimmers were asked to not just swim in their own age group events but also to swim in events above their age group, to do this is asking a lot but then for those swimmers to bring their 'A' game and actually get podium finishes or indeed winning those races is phenomenal, I take my hat off to you all Well done. It was really good display by all those that attended, but Jack Dandy gets my Man of The Match award with some excellent swims to win 3 out of the 4 events he was entered into. Saying that though the race of the evening has to go to Tom Gibbs for stepping up into the Open 100m Fly, against some competition that more resembled a block of flats than 18 year old boys, and then to go about destroying these behemoths was a joy to watch well done Tom. Also of note was the 11 and Under girls squad of Caitin Thompson, Mariette Braithwaite, Alex Highcock, and Megan Ireland, who must get a special mention for the fact that they not only won both the medley and freestyle relay's but they also won 3 out of the 4 individual events (50 Fly, 50 Breast, 50 Free) with a 3rd place finish in the backstroke. What a very strong 11/U team of female swimmers we have. Girls well done to you. Overall we were really strong in the relay's were 15 out of 16 events saw us finish on the podium (1st 2nd or 3rd), and in the individual swims we had 28 podium finishes out of 34 events. The Final Standings: Wrexham 250 Chorley Marlins 237 Lancaster City 183 Bury & Elton 131 Chadderton 122 Bootle & North Liverpool 85 Mary Parkinson, the Head Coach said "the fantastic attitude and team spirit shown by our swimmers was absolutely amazing and I'm really looking forward to the next round in November". Once again Well Done to all those involved there were some inspired individual swims and also some key team displays, keep up the hard work in training because it is paying off and we as a club are so proud of you all. K. Sharples (Vice Chair) ![]() Welcome to the round up of the second Chorley Harriers Junior Aquathlon 2011. The venue was Brinscall leisure centre on Sunday the 18th September 2011, where all competitors were required to do a timed swim in the pool followed by a timed run around the lake outside the leisure centre. The distances for the running and the swimming are different for each age category according to official British Triathlon Federation (BTF) rules.The rules are simple the fastest combined swim & run times are the winners. See the table below. The weather was with us this year, and the swimmers that turned out did our club proud, some really great performances from all, both in and out of the pool. Chorley Harriers had a photographer there from www.bidiphotos.com and the pictures can be seen by clicking here: Starting the proceedings were Kayden & Rebecca in the under 9's category, and a great performance from Kayden saw him take 1st place closely followed by Rebecca in 2nd. Well done both of you. In the next event, the girls aged 9-10 category saw a closely fought battle for 1st place between Maddie and Elizabeth with Lizzie taking the swim by a mere 2 seconds, but Maddie ran a great race with Jessica from Chorley Harriers breathing down her neck, but she was determined that no one was passing her and she held off the attack from Jessica to take victory by 2 seconds and to win the event overall. Chloe Cottam also put in a great performance to seal 3rd place, well done girls a Chorley Marlins 1-2-3.A special mention and sportsmanship award goes to Rhyanna Wilson who saw that her team mate was struggling and went back to run with her, and they both crossed the finish together. Well done both of you. The next event, the boys aged 9-10 category saw the tightest fought battle for 1st and 2nd, with Callan and Ben vying for the top spot. Callan took the honors in the pool by 12 seconds but Ben ran an exceptional 4mins 8secs for the 1k, so we could only watch as Callan pushed for the line.......10 seconds behind Ben which meant overall Callan had snatched victory over Ben by a mere 2 seconds, both lads deserve applause and we look forward to the rematch next year :) Ethan Neilson's great performance both in the pool and on the run saw him take 3rd place. well done to all the boys who took part. The girls aged 11-12 category saw a Chorley Marlins 1-2-3 again with Hannah, Anna and Kelly-Anne taking the medal positions. The honors were even between Hannah and Anna with Anna taking victory in the pool and 2nd on the run and Hannah taking 2nd on the swim but romping home in 1st place on the run to take victory overall. The boys aged 11-12 category was another close battle overall for 1st and 2nd between Ben and Nathan, but Ben swam a great race finishing 1st and he came home in 2nd place on the run to take the victory overall by 5 seconds. I have to mention that Nathan's time for the run of 5mins 41secs was outstanding that's more or less a 6min mile very well done. Finishing in 3rd overall was Lorcan, well done to all that took part. The boys and girls aged 13 and over all swam separately but they were all released together for the 3k run , James Highcock completed the run first with Jack Dandy close behind and in the end only 10secs separated the two with James taking the victory and Jack finishing 2nd in the 13-14 Boys category. In the girls 13-14 category Alexis Robinson from Chorley Harriers took victory overall with Martha Horton a close 2nd, and in the 15 youth age group only 2 girls took part with Anna Hopkin from Chorley Harriers taking 1st place and Emma Heald from Chorley Marlins taking 2nd. A BIG well done to you all without which the event wouldn't taken place. See the results spreadsheet below. Note: Focus column gives pointer for improvement for next year High positive score = work on your swimming High negative score = work on your running Around zero score = you have the balance about right, but keep going on both! ![]() CHORLEY MARLINS WIN PROMOTION IN TO MICROLEAGUE DIVISION 'A' I have seen many many superb swims, 1st places, personal bests, county and regional times achieved but this has to be one of the best galas I have ever been to. It was quite simply a fantastic performance by all of our swimmers. 16 Girls and 16 boys took part in the Gala held at Blackpools Palatine Swimming Pool. Chorley competed against the excellent teams from Division A, Lancaster and Blackpool and from Division B Clitheroe. The meet was raced over 49 races 16 relay events, 32 individual events and finished of with the Canon an 8 person team relay. Swimming for the Girls: Elizabeth Woodcock, Charlotte Lavin, Rhyanna Wilson, Maddie Kennedy, Eleanor Anwyl, Chloe Cottam, Sian Ormesher, Mariette Braithwaite, Lydia Wilcock, Alex Highcock, Caitlin Thompson, Megan Ireland, Kelly Anne Roscoe, Anna Doughty, Hannah Lavin, Kaitlin Wilson. Swimming for the Boys: Luka Hyam, Mason Fowler, Connor Stevens, Jack Wilson, Ben Hughes, Lorcan Hart, Dan Hurst, Callan Sharples, Adam Parks, Steven Hancock, Oliver Derby, Ben Gibbs, Callam Pritchard, Connah Chadwick, Jack Hardman. At the end of the Gala Chorleys swimmers had finished in the following positions. 1st Place 10 2nd Place 18 3rd Place 7 That is a fantastic 35 podium finishes from only 49 events. The final positions were: 1st Blackpool 155pts 2nd Chorley 120pts 3rd Clitheroe 112pts 4th Lancaster 99pts What makes this gala even better is that not only have we gained promotion to Division A we put on a great performance against Division A opposition and I am sure that we will make a tough team to beat next year. A special mention should be given to our 9yr and under Girls team of Maddie Kennedy, Elizabeth Woodcock, Charlotte Lavin and Rhyanna Wilson. Not only did the girls not get beaten in any relay event all season, during the final they won every single event in their age group including all 4 single stroke discipline races. Lets keep up the good work girls and make a big effort for next season. I wish I could mention everybodies achievments individually but I would be typing all night so I will mention just one of our swimmers, Anna Doughty. For Anna this was her last Microleague event after several years in the competition Anna completed what has proved to be her best ever season, having swam in 10 individual events she won an amazing 9 of them and was narrowly pipped into a 2nd in the 10th. This is a fantastic achievment for both Anna and Chorley Marlins. Lets hope her efforts are inspiration for our younger swimmers to work hard and continue the great results the club is having. Well done Anna everyone is very proud of you. So to finish of I would like to simply say well done to everyone and lets keep up the good work and take that team spirit we all showed during the weekend into next season. Well done. ![]() Marlins Making Waves in Sheffield. On Sunday 28th August 36 swimmers, 16 girls and 20 boys from our club crossed the Pennines to compete in the 27th Dukeries Open Swimming Meet at Sheffield’s National Sports Centre, Ponds Forge. This annual meet saw teams from 39 clubs take part in 16 individual events and 12 relay events. Each swimmer is grouped by age and sex and competes against other swimmers within that group. Awards are given for the top 6 placed finishers for each race. The Girls were: Elizabeth Woodcock, Rhyanna Wilson, Maddie Kennedy, Eleanor Anwyl, Mariette Braithwaite, Chloe Cottam, Alexandra Highcock, Caitlin Wilson, Caitlin Thompson, Megan Ireland, Anna Doughty, Anna Nikolakis, Rhiannon Crist, Nicole Coombes, Martha Horton and Fionnula Hart The Boys were: Henry Wilson, Conner Stevens, Mason Fowler, Callan Sharples, Luka Hyam, Dominic Lewis, Jack Wilson, Lorcan Hart, Stephen Hancock, Tom Mainon, Callum Pritchard, Ben Gibbs, Jack Dandy, Scott Beaumont, Harry England, Sam Parr, Alex Walmsley, Oliver Horton, James Highcock and Philip Carr The first event was the 100m Breaststroke and straight away saw Marlins win 3 medals Stephen Hancock got the ball rolling with a Bronze, James Highcock a well deserved 6th place and Anna Doughty was crowned Girls 12/13yr old Champion.This seemed to set the tone for the day and saw Marlins take 7 medals from the next event the 50m Butterfly. Luka Hyam and Callan Sharples getting a Bronze and a 4th in the 9yr old boys race then Lorcan Hart produced a great swim to grab 6th in the 10yr old race. Jack Dandy was next to win a medal when he took Gold in the 11/12yr old category then James Highcock was narrowly piped into 2nd in the 14yr old race. Two further medals were won by the girls, Elizabeth Woodcock swimming in her 1st competitive long course race took a great 5th place in the 9yr old race and then Anna picked up her 2nd medal with 5th place in the 11/12yr olds race. Shortly after Jack added a 5th in the 100m freestyle and a 4th in the 50 backstroke taking his tally to three. Not to be outdone Anna and James both picked up their 3rd medal of the morning with Anna taking 5th in the 100m Freestyle and James another closely fought 2nd in the 50m Backstroke. Soon after another one of our first timers Conner Stevens took 4th place in the 9yr old boys 50m Backstroke. Marlins swimmers were now in the zone and were soon back in the medals with Stephen Hancock picking up 4th in the 100m boys Butterfly. Then came the blue ribbon event the 50m Freestyle, with more than 165 girls and 140 boys taking part, this is the event that everyone wants to win. To be crowned the fastest swimmer for your age group is a great achievement. What an achievement it was Marlins picked up 7 medals from this event with Jack Dandy and Anna Doughty winning Gold and making it a clean sweep in the 11/12yr old category. Other medals came from James Highcock, 2nd, Elizabeth and Conner each a 4th with Maddie Kennedy and Callan Sharples each getting a 6th. Anna’s time saw her finish 6th overall and qualified her for the 50m Freestyle swim of final ‘The Skins’ at the end of the day. Further medals followed with Callum Pritchard a 5th in the 100m Backstroke, Anna picked up her 5th medal with an excellent swim to take 3rd in the Girls 100m Backstroke. Scott Beaumont was next to grab a medal with a 5th in the Boys 50m Breaststroke closely followed by Stephen who finished 6th to pick up his 3rd medal of the day. It didn’t stop there James finally got the recognition he deserved for a days hard work and was crowned 13/14yr old Boys 50m Breaststroke Champion. Maddie Kennedy then picked up her 2nd medal with a 6th place in the girls 9yr 50m Breaststroke. Next came the turn of Alex Highcock, having seen her big brother take Gold she produced her best swim of the day and took a superb Silver in the 50m 10yr old Girls Breastroke narrowly missing out on gold by less than 4 tenths of a second. Finishing of the individual races was Anna who picked up her 6th medal of the day a Silver in the 11/12yr old 50m breaststroke. 32 Medals from individual swims, what an achievement. Now for the relay teams. Swam over 200m in 3 different age categories, 10 and under, 12 and under and 14 and under in both freestyle and Medley disciplines Medals were awarded for top 3 places. Marlins teams collected a huge 10 medals. These medals came as follows. BOYS: 10 yr & U ‘A’ Team. Silver in the Freestyle Silver in the Medley 10 yr & U ‘B’ Team. Bronze in the Freestyle 12 yr & U. Gold in the Freestyle Gold in the Medley 14 yr & U. Bronze in the Freestyle Bronze in the Medley GIRLS: 10 yr & U Bronze in the Freestyle Silver in the Medley 12 yr & U Silver in the Medley Particular mention should go to the boys 12 yr & U team of Stephen Hancock, Ben Gibbs, Scott Beaumont and Jack Dandy. After not being permitted to swim in the race 200m medley race due to an error by a race official they had to swim in a lane during the 14yr olds 200m freestyle event. Without competitive swimmers to pace themselves against they had to go it alone and swam against the clock in a hope to beat the times from the previous race. They all swam superbly and achieved a winning time with over 3 seconds to spare, well done guys. The final event of the day was the 50m Skins Final. For those who weren’t there a skins race is a knockout competition whereby after each swim the slowest competitor is eliminated until the final 2 remain and go head to head to be crowned Sprint Champion. As I mentioned early Ann had qualified as the 6th fastest for the race which bearing in mind she was the youngest competitor to be in the race is a fantastic achievement in itself. Anna was swimming against the cream of the swimmers at the event. She did amazingly well and battled through 5 hard fought rounds before being eliminated in the 6th round. This truly is a tremendous achievement, one which we should all be proud of. At only 12 years old to finish as 4th fastest Girl in the entire competition deserves a huge pat on the back and just goes to show what dedication to your training can achieve. Well done Anna I can’t wait to see you swim again next year. If you have managed to keep reading this far it doesn’t stop there. Three of our swimmers were also named in the swimmer of the competition awards. Jack was rightfully awarded Best Boy for the 11/12yr old category for his efforts throughout the day. James came 2nd overall in the 14yr old boys category and Anna was piped by only 1pt finishing 2nd in the 11/12yr old girls category. Finally, after winning an unbelievable 42 medals Chorley Marlins Swimming Club (one of the smallest clubs at the event) took Bronze in the overall club points standings. This is a superb result for our club, to finish 3rd from 39 clubs against teams from Rotherham, Potters Bar and Wakefield is further evidence that just goes to show how good this club is, from the quality of the training and teaching staff to the dedicated parental supporters, backroom staff and hard working committee. We should all be very proud of what we have achieved. On that note I should say a big Thankyou to all of the parents who sat in the sweltering heat to support the children you all deserve a medal. Well done everyone, I look forward to the Microleague swim of Final and the final round of the North Lancs competition. Keep up the good work. BIG Stu. |