For the first competition of the 2009/10 season the St Bede’s younger swimmers took part in the Littlehampton development meet. With several new swimmers joining St Bede’s over the summer, it was time for them to show the rest of the squad what they could do, so Rose Stride (age 9), Bethany Lewis (9) and Will Brown (12) took their places on the blocks alongside some of the regular St Bede’s squad.

There were understandably some nervous moments (particularly among the watching parents) but Head Coach Kevin Ayers was there to encourage his new charges and was particularly pleased with the results as the whole team brought home medals. For Rose, Bethany and Will it was the first of many competitions for St Bede’s and for Emma Horsfall-Turner (13) it was finally her turn to be presented with a medal  after coming so close on many occasions. It was a very weary bunch of swimmers that made their way home after a long weekend, but all were there again for training on Monday.

Medals as follows:

The Boys:
Will Brown (12): Silver 200m fly 3.24.78; Bronze 100m back 1.18.30, 200m free 2.36.46, 100m fly 1.33.47
Eliot Wood (13): Silver 100m back 1.17.02, 100m free 1.07.15, 200m free 2.28.01, 200m fly 3.08.38, 100m breast; Bronze 100m fly 1.26.87

The Girls:
Rose Stride (9): Bronze 200m IM 4.24.70
Bethany Lewis (9): Silver 200m back 4.00.42
Charlotte Chapman (11): Gold 200m back 2.57.59, 200m IM 3.06.14 200m free 2.35.74; Silver 200m breast 3.31.17, 100m fly 1.41.06, 100m back 1.27.56
Katherine Horsfall Turner (12): Silver 200m back 2.55.30; Bronze 100m fly 1.21.21
Eve Carless (13): Gold 200m IM 2.46.54; Silver 100m breast 1.31.30; Bronze 200m free 3.10.31, 100m back 1.26.80
Amelia Mitchell (13): Gold 200m free 2.24.58, 100m breast 1.28.73; Silver 200m breast 3.08.34, 200m back 2.50.34, 200m IM 2.48.28
Emma Horsfall Turner (13): Bronze 200m free 2.34.95, 200m back 3.08.31
Rebekah Chapman (14): Gold 200m breast 3.09.02; Silver 100m breast 1.31.11; Bronze 100m fly 1.22.86