SWIMMING: SWIMMERS from Princethorpe experience further success at the Independent Schools’ Association National Swimming Championships held at the London Aquatics Centre.
Following success in last year’s event, the buoyant team of ten scooped an impressive 17 medals throughout the competition – which was held at the London Aquatics Centre on Saturday (January 21).
Not only were medals won, but a new ISA national record was broken as the Midlands team swam to victory.
Standout swimmers for Princethorpe were Mollie Dibb and Caitlin Newport.
Both have competed at the event for the last five and three years respectively, and this year the pair came home with seven medals between them – including gold in the Year 11-13 100m breaststroke and bronze in the Year 11-13 100m freestyle.
Year eight student Lucia McCosker-New overcame an unfortunate disqualification in her first race for moving at the blocks to win a silver medal in the Year Eight Girls’ 200m Freestyle Relay.
Other medal winners included Jess MacKenzie, who held her nerve to swim to a new ISA National Record of 34.15 seconds in the Year Seven Girls’ 50m Backstroke.
She also won the 50m Freestyle and earned bronze in the Year Seven Girls’ Freestyle Relay.
Charlie Bracken was also in the mix.
The year eight pupil took bronze in the Boys’ 50m Freestyle and supported the Midlands team to earn silver in the Boys’ Freestyle Relay.
Jess Mackenzie said: “The competition was really high so I was nervous, but the experience was great.”
Charlie Bracken added: “I didn’t think about the crowd or it being an Olympic pool – I just made sure I had fun.”
At the other end of the age range, newcomer Olivia Bates took a silver medal in the Year Four Girls’ 50m Breaststroke and gold in the 50m Backstroke.
Mrs Lou Harrison, head of academic PE at Princethorpe College, said: “We are very proud of all our swimmers.
“To have representation at ages eight through to 18 is fantastic.
“The commitment of our pupils for the hours they spend in the pool and determination they show is second to none.
“We also extend our thanks to all our parents – without their endless support and hours of commitment on the poolside, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate success at this level.”
