Etwall Eagles Open 08

by Mel McWhirter

After returning as Top Team Champions from last years Etwall Eagles masters Meet, our team had their work cut out for them to try to retain the title, especially as this years meet attracted nearly 40 clubs, including many
new strong teams from outside of the Midlands.

24 enthusiastic Kenilworth swimmers made their way through thick fog to do their bit; with some choosing
to doing more than others; Zim swam in 12 of a possible 13 events! We also dragged along four new team members Kenny, David, Rosa and Clare to take
part in their first Masters meet.

The points rolled in thick and fast with wins from, John Hamilton (continuing the family backstroke tradition), Alan cooper, Arthur Lowe, Joy Stevenson, Mel McWhirter, Karen Stacey, Suzanne Linton, Zim,Clare Wilkinson, Helen Russell, Andy Seggie; and that was just during the morning session.

Following some successful relay performances that saw some mixed age and ability teams swim together for the first time, we had a spot of lunch which saw the consumption of 'isotonic sports chip butties'. We were then ready for an afternoon where the King and Queen of the club (the fastest over the legendary 25m dash) would be crowned.

The King of the club was contested this year by a total of 11 Kenilworth men Mister Seggie unsurprisingly taking the honors. Mister Hamilton claimed the Red Shower cap of Justice’ after losing a side bet by two one hundredths of a second to Kenny Thompson. The Queen challenge was
once again fought for by only four ladies, with Mel once again taking the title.

More wins from Helen Russell, Chris Proud, John Hamilton (100 fly championship record), Rachel Sear (Pulling of a championship record in the 25M fly much to Ian Stone protests of indignation), Mel McWhirter, Zim, Clare Wilkinson, Suzanne Linton, Andy Seggie, Alan Cooper, Arthur Lowe and John Smith saw the team point tally hit an all time high.

With only the relays standing between us and the trophy we gave it our best shot. The medlay teams brought in two victories and with the nail biting finale of the 6 x 50 cannon to swim, victory was within our grasp. With three kenilworth teams taking part, we had a superb head to head challenge that culminated in our two rookies, Ken and David fighting it out on the last leg with Ken grasping victory by 4 tenths of a second. The final heat of the day saw the Etwall Eagles home team step up to the challenge against the mighty kenilworth team. With an explosive end to what was a fantastic day, Zim and the Kenilworth team were robbed of the final victory, when an adjacent team belly flopped into the pool just as Zim approached the finish, sending Zim sideways rather than forwards for his final stroke, loosing the race by just 7 hundredths. But all was not lost, we had still gathered enough points from everyone's fantastic individual performances to secure the top team title for a second year.

Final Club scores -
Kenilworth 597, Etwall 526, Trafford 524
Top swimmers -
Ladies - Group A 1st Joy Stevenson, Group C 1st Mel McWhirter, Group E 1st Suzanne Linton, 2nd Karen Stacey.
Men - Group D 1st Zim, 2nd John Hamilton. Group E 1st Alan Cooper. Group K 1st Arthur Lowe.
A great day was had by all and congratulations to everyone for all your efforts. A special mention needs to go out to Clare Wilkinson for some amazing breaststroke swims taking away three 1st places in her first masters event and to Rosa Evans, for competing in her first event, ever.