Thurrock’s top squads spent their Easter weekend competing against the top swimmers in the east of England, at the City of Norwich long course meet held at the University of East Anglia. An EGGciting weekend saw Thurrock finish 3rd in the top club standings – an impressive showing from the Borough team.
Leading the way for Thurrock were Kayleigh Umfreville and Sonny Ford who both won double gold in their respective ‘A’ stokes. Kayleigh took top spot in the 100m (1:22) and 200m breast (2:56) and also added a bronze in the 200m IM (2:34). Sonny emulated this impressive performance with gold in the the 100m fly (1:04) and 200m fly (2:22). The 14 year old could not quite make it a clean sweep in the butterfly events though, having to settle for silver in the 50m sprint (29.6).
Other double medallists were George Epsly, Kerriann Chipperfield, Aimee Newport, Chloe Wood and Bradley Clarke. Eleven year old Essex ‘top boy’ George Epsly cruised to victory in the 200m fly (2:32) and took bronze in the 100m fly (1:10), Kerriann Chipperfield also beat a good field to take gold in the 200m fly (2:27) and added a bronze in the 200m free (2:11). Youngsters Aimee and Chloe both made the transition from short course to long course look easy. Chloe just pipping Aimee for the silver in the girls 9/10 years 200m IM, with both girls swimming 3:04. Chloe then went on to add bronze in the 200m back (3:01) while Aimee swam to a bronze of her own in the 200m free (2:39).
Hassenbrook student Bradley Clarke finished a busy weekend with an impressive silver in the 800m free (9:17) and the 14 year old then doubled his silver tally with an impressive long course PB swim in the 200m breast (2:48).
Emma Cassidy and Katherine Stephens both look to be hitting good form, with the duo both winning gold; Emma in the 50m back (34.94) and Kat in the 200m fly (2:35). Fourteen year old Gareth Hawkins’ good form of late also continued when the Gaynes school student swam to bronze in the 200m free (2:08). Senior swimmer Conor Harrold led Thurrock’s male assault on the top places in the tough 15 and over age group with bronze in the 200m back (2:14), leaving Molly Epsly and Harry Geggus to complete Thurrock’s medal haul. Freestyle specialist Molly swam to silver in the 15 years and over 1500m free (18:15) and Harry’s new long course PB of 2:49 was enough to earn the 14 year old bronze in the 200m breast.
