1500m County Champs 2011 
A small group of 12 GCSC swimmers took part in the second of the County Championships Distance events on Sun 18 December. This time it was the 1500m
– 60 lengths of the Barton pool at GL1. This race definitely isn’t for the faint hearted but our swimmers achieved some fantastic results between them.
First up was Chris Malone (11) who did an excellent job of keeping an even pace throughout the race and finished in first place in an excellent time of 20:20.65. This was a first for Chris to swim a 1500m race and he was the youngest boy in the county to take part in this event. If he was nervous it didn’t show as he looked strong and focused throughout. Well done Chris!
Matt Munden (12) and Alex Seymour (12) train together, race against each other and are great friends outside of the pool. They were drawn in the same heat a couple of lanes apart which seemed fitting for their first attempt at the 1500m event. They literally feed off each other both in training and competition which motivates them both and has contributed greatly to their success so far. No surprises then that it was a cracking heat with both giving it their all and finishing within 2 seconds of each other. Matt clinched the Gold in a time of 18:41.21 and Alex the Silver in 18:43.59 in the 12 year old category. Great swimming lads and super quick times!
In the 13 year old category Will Carter represented GCSC. This was also Will’s first attempt at this distance. He swam a strong race, despite having a stitch in his side throughout, in a time of 19:10.31 to take the Bronze medal.
Up steps Craig Munden (14). There was no stopping Craig in the 800m and it wasn’t any different in the 1500m. He took the lead from the outset and looked comfortable throughout the race. Unfortunately for Craig, he miscounted the lengths, didn’t hear the whistle for the final 50m and consequently didn’t stop at 60 lengths! Fortunately the clock stopped at 60 lengths with a time of 17:03.59 and Craig was rewarded with the Gold medal and is the new County Junior Champion. Aged just 14 years old, Craig posted the 2nd fastest time of the evening. Craig now holds the County Junior Champion titles for both the distance events (800m and 1500m). Excellent swimming Craig!
Jake Michaels and Sam Gaskins competed in the 16 year old category. Jake was in the fastest heat of the night against tough opposition. He did a great job to remain in second place for the duration of the race and was rewarded with the Silver medal in an excellent time of 17:07.37 representing a 17 second PB. Meanwhile Sam Gaskins attacked the race from the outset and finished in 4th place in a time of 17:50.57 representing a 68 second PB!
For the 18 year olds Club Captain Tom Howells and Tom Grime represented GCSC. Tom Howells scooped the gold in a time of 17:25.43 and a 27 sec PB with Tom Grime finishing in 4th place.
A fantastic set of results from the boys, winning 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal with just 8 swimmers. Well done the boys!
And then onto the girls...... We only had 3 girls racing in the 1500m and first up was Ashling Keeble (13). Ash didn’t do the 1500m last year but gave it everything this year, and despite losing her swim cap half way through as she did in the 800m, she finished in 4th place in a time of 20:59.64.
Megan Hartery (13) followed in a later heat and kept up a great pace throughout. She finished in an excellent time of 19:41.90 winning a hard earned Bronze medal. This was also a fantastic PB of 85.69 seconds. Great race Meg!
And finally we were on the last heat of the evening with Aimee Carter as the fastest qualifier drawn in lane 4. Aimee had already won the 800m Gold medal and she clearly had her sights set on taking the 1500m too. Aimee started as she meant to carry on and took the lead from the outset. She didn’t look back and finished strong in a time of 17:51.80 to clinch the Gold medal. She was also crowned Senior and Overall County Champion retaining her title at this event from last year. It’s hard to believe that Aimee was out of the water with injury for 4 months over the summer! Congratulations Aimee and welcome back!
A great day for GCSC with another 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals and the Girls Senior and overall County Champion and Boys Junior County Champion titles.
And so the Distance events have finished and we look forward to the main County Championships in Feb/Mar 12. GCSC currently lead the County Medal table with 11 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze medals.
Well done to all 21 of the GCSC swimmers who have taken part in the distance events this year.