Following the regional round in November, an impressive 10 pupils from the Talbot Heath Swimming Pathway represented the ISA Southwest team at the National Finals held at the London Aquatics on 9th December.
The Team left the frosty grounds of TH in the early hours, supported by super parents Sam S who managed the team and Jurijs who drove the team to the London Aquatic Centre. With the day split into two sessions, the TH team would cover 21 events and have to keep their wits about them for a long day at the pool.
Golden Girls
Head Girl Betsy V led by example, not only running poolside warmups and rallying the pupils to race fast and cheer on fellow athletes in the Southwest Team, but Betsy also earned herself the title of ISA National Champion in 100m Backstroke. Halle R put in a strong performance by going out fast from the start to return to the timing board to become an ISA National Champion, taking the 100m Breaststroke.
Silver Linings
Betsy claimed a silver medal in the 200m IM and joined schoolmate Polly G as half of the Southwest 4 x 50m Medley Relay that impressively earned silver.
Classmates Caide S and Thalia M combined in their age group to provide the South West with half of the 4 x 50m Medley Relay that earned a silver medal.
Bronze Workings
Halle R added another medal with Bronze in 200m IM with Victoria H earning Bronze in 50m Breaststroke. To complete a medal in every event, Betsy contributed with the lead-off swim in the 4 x 50m Free relay to earn bronze. Caidee S, Lara M, and Thalia M provided the 4 x 50m Free relay with another relay medal of the day claiming 3rd position.
Caidee in individual event earned 3rd in 50m Breaststroke and 6th in 50m Butterfly. Florence C helped earn the Southwest double fourths in her year group 4 x 50m Free and 4 x 50m Medley Relay. Daria K swam well earning fourth position in 50m Backstroke, 4 x 50m Free Relay and joined Victoria in 4 x 50M Medley Relay to gain another fourth. Victoria earned 5th in 50m Butterfly and Daria 7th in 50m Free. Bertie B earned a 5th in 50m Butterfly and 6th in 100m Freestyle, joining teammate Halle R in both the 4 x 50m Medley and 4 x 50m Free Relay that earned 5th position.
A huge thank you go to the ISA South West team for all their work in putting the team together, a massive thank you to Sam S and Kristian R for Managing the Team on the day and a big thank you to Jurijs for driving the team to and from the competition.
Team Manager Sam summed up the day to fellow parents saying: “the girls have all been absolutely brilliant, supportive of each other, so polite and well behaved. A credit to the school, thier coaches and their parents. “
