Etwall Eagles Open 07

Kenilworth delight at Derby
24th November 2007 - Queen’s Leisure Centre, Derby

After narrowly missing out on the ‘top visiting club’ award at last year’s Etwall Eagles annual gala, Kenilworth rallied the troops to go one better this year. The Etwall gala has also become the gala of choice for the hotly contested ‘Fastest Person in The Club’, with Kenilworth members competing to be the fastest over 25m Freestyle to take the crown.

It was great team spirit with 21 members turning out to do their bit and it also gave the opportunity for others that don’t usually compete to have a go. With a strong turn out from Derby, Etwall and Long Eaton it was going to be a close fought day!

Kenilworth started to scoop up the points in the morning session with wins from Chris Ryall, Arthur Lowe, Andrew Seggie, Steve Burcham, Matt Thomas, Mel McWhirter, Karen Stacey and John Smith.

When it came to the 25m challenge, 12 men from Kenilworth lined up for the honours including previous ‘King’ John Hamilton. It was a very close battle with only hundredths of seconds splitting swimmers but in the end the new king crowned was Matt Thomas in a time of 11.70. A mention should also go to Mike Ireland the fastest over the masters age of 25 in a time of 12.13.

The field for the Queen’s 25m challenge wasn’t as competitive with only 4 taking up the mantle. Mel McWhirter eventually clasped the tiara in a time of 13.36. One to chase for next year ladies!

At the half way point Kenilworth were leading the field by over 40 points – a good lead but not an insurmountable one so it was still all to play for in the afternoon session.

The afternoon session saw further wins from Mike Ireland, John Hamilton, John Smith, Steve Burcham, Chris Ryall, Arthur Lowe, Mel McWhirter and Karen Stacey. With Kenilworth also dominating the relays, taking 1st place in the Men’s 120+, 160+ and 200+ Medley and Freestyle relays, Female 120+ Freestyle relay and the Mixed Cannon relay.

It was then a nervous wait for the final results… Kenilworth ended up walking away with:

Best Overall Swimmers:
Mel McWhirter (Age group B - 2nd)
Karen Stacey (Age group E - 1st)
Roy McWhirter (Age group C – 3rd)
Chris Ryall (Age group D – 2nd)
John Hamilton (Age group D – 3rd)
Steve Burcham (Age group F – 1st)
David Francis (Age group F – 3rd)
Arthur Lowe (Age group K – 2nd)
Matt Thomas (Age group Q – 1st)

New Meet Best times:
Arthur Lowe – 25m Butterfly 17.67, 50m Backstroke 40.40, 25m Freestyle 14.79, 50m Butterfly 42.59, 100m Backstroke 1.29.31, 50m Freestyle 33.29, 25m Backstroke 18.86
Andrew Seggie – 50m Backstroke 29.71, 100m Backstroke 1.03.66, 25m Backstroke 14.14
Steve Burcham – 50m Backstroke 31.73
Matt Thomas – 100m Breaststroke 1.16.20
Mel McWhirter – 25m Freestyle 13.36
John Smith – 50m Butterfly 28.88, 100m Freestyle 59.85
Chris Ryall – 50m Butterfly 29.58, 25m Breaststroke 15.09, 50m Breaststroke 34.25
Steve Burcham 50m Butterfly 30.46, 100 IM 1.10.10, 100m Backstroke 1.08.26, 100m Butterfly 1.09.52
Mike Ireland 100m Backstroke 1.10.31, 25m Backstroke 15.20
John Hamilton 100m Butterfly 1.08.65

And the coveted ‘Top Visiting Club’! (We also won outright – beating the home team.)

Well done to all who took part – every point counted to the victory.

A note needs to be made about one of the swim’s of the day with Arthur Lowe beating Ian Stones over 50m Backstroke, over 30 years his junior! Ian claimed the loss of his goggles for the loss to Arthur!

The swimmer who has accumulated the most points from their best swims in each of the individual stroke events as well as the 100IM.

All the results

Results Sheet pdf
Individual Points pdf
Team Points pdf
All the pics of the day