Swindon Swim Squad – ‘Who are we..... Sx3’

Following two very difficult rounds for the Sx3 A team the final showdown was held at Weston Super Mare. Unfortunately this final had come down to a battle between two clubs rather than six, but the Sx3 swimmers held their nerve and showed the strength everyone knew they had to be victorious in their mini battle.

The competition was fierce and the overall points in the end showed that after Ferndown Otters (the eventual winners) the next four places could have gone to anyone. At the first announcement of points, Sx3 team found themselves floundering in 5th place following an early DQ in event one, they had a lot of ground to make up. However their resolve did not wane and they battled their way back throughout the gala to eventually take 4th place ahead of Swindon Dolphin and Christchurch seagulls.

Aiko Takahashi was the star of the Sx3 team taking 1st place easily in both the 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke. Swimmers gaining 2nd places on the night were Girls 11 years FC team – Jade Walters, Bethany Wakefield, Rebecca Cook & Rebecca Flack. Rebecca Maddocks 50m Backstroke & Breaststroke, Daniel Jones 50m Backstroke & Tom Codling 50m Frontcrawl. Rebecca Cook & Conor Keye both in 50m Breaststroke. Girls 11 years Medley team – Jade Walters, Rebecca Cook, Abigail Davidson & Rebecca Flack.

All of the team upped their game on the night to prove that Sx3 is a strong Squad to be valued and worked with. It has been said by some that the swimmers were not gaining anything by working together to be the best squad of swimmers in Swindon. Last nights gala proved how very wrong that statement and opinion is, together these swimmers would have gained a place in the grand final. While Sx3 A celebrate their victory there was still the sad realisation of what might have been.
Final Points: -  Ferndown 234, W/S/Mare 179, Poole 176, Sx3 168, Swindon Dolphin 166, Seagulls 101

The B team had a much harder battle in their gala and finally finished in 6th place. Oliver Howitt was the star performer with a 1st and two 2nd places in the 50m BR and 50m BK. However Sx3 coaches take heart at the realisation they had moved up six places from last year when they finished 18th overall to this years 12TH place. The B team also allowed many swimmers to gain valuable experience of team competition.

Final Points: Bournmouth 234, Yeovil A 235, Keynsham 161, Jurrasic 137, Frome 120, Sx3 B 114