A-maz-ing! The atmosphere, the swimming, the fact that we all got there on time! This was an invitational trophy gala in memory of a young swimmer from Ilkeston Swimming Club who was tragically killed in a car crash at the age of 18.
How fitting then that instead of a minute’s silence to remember Jamie, swimmers were asked to make a minute of noise! What a moving tribute it was and a sight to see as every swimmer sat around the edge of the pool to ‘splash for Jamie’ and the onlooking adults applauded. This set the tone for a fun night at the Queen’s Leisure Centre, Derby, with a fantastic atmosphere with great swims all round, especially from a Portland team with many first-timers as well as some of our faithful ‘veterans’.
15 PBs and 7 new times (NT) : PBs for Dan (50m breaststroke), Tarun (50m backstroke), Will (50m breaststroke), Freya (50m breaststroke), Millie (50m freestyle), Ben (25m butterfly), Chloe (50m backstroke), Louis (50m freestyle), Lucy (50m butterfly), Michael T (50m butterfly), Ella (25m butterfly), Georgia (50m backstroke), Connor (50m backstroke), Angelina D (50m freestyle), Austin (50m freestyle) and NT for Rowyn (50m breaststroke), Beth (50m breaststroke), Dominique (25m butterfly), Anna (25m breaststroke), Fraser (25m breaststroke), Angelina G (25m backstroke), Jamey (25m backstroke).
Special mentions:
Millie, Chloe, Rowyn, Anna, Dominique, Beth, and poolside helper Tammy for first-time appearances for Portland. Purple suits you Tammy!
Stanley and Freya for awesome underwater work.
Andrew for a night of good swims but particularly strong legs in the relays – what a role model.
Will for his exemplary breaststroke glide – and remembering to put his goggles on for most of his races (thanks Dan for the last minute reminder!)
Lucy for a masterclass in butterfly in the 15/u medley relay.
Oscar for a brave butterfly leg in the 10/u medley relay.
Michael T for his 50m butterfly, in the words of Head Coach, `neat, tight, great’.
Georgia and Emma for fantastic legs in the Open medley, after a last minute switch.
Michael P for a strong breaststroke leg in the Open medley – at the age of 13!
Erin for a strong showing in that tough 50m butterfly.
Angelina D for a stunning 50m free so brilliantly supported by brother Gabriel – ‘Gina! Gina! Gina!’
Chloe for a classy double 1st – 1st place (50m backstroke) in her 1st gala!
Rebecca H, Tarun, Emma, Dan, Ben, Andrew, Chloe, Ella, Kathy, Michael P, Angelina D, girls Open freestyle team, girls Open & 15/u medley teams, boys Open medley team and the Cannon team for 1st or 2nd places.
Mick Burke for the dive training courses – what a difference it has made.
Thank you Ilkeston Swimming Club for inviting us, thank you parents and supporters for making the trip, thank you swimmers for outstanding performances and, as always, being a credit to our club, thank you coaches and poolside team. Let’s hope we get invited again!
Log in and go to Swimmers’ Corner for the full results.
