LEAMINGTON Spa Amateur Swimming Club’s (LSASC) juniors finished the year with another outstanding achievement after placing second in the National Junior League Grand Final at Corby International Pool in Northamptonshire.
The club’s swimmers, aged nine to 12, had already created history back in September when they won the Nuneaton and Bedworth Junior League for the first time.
And that victory saw LSASC qualify for the Grand Final where they competed against the winners of other leagues from across the country including local rivals Nuneaton and Bedworth who finished as runners-up to Leamington.
Leamington’s young swimmers were in high spirits following a pep talk from head coach Graham Nash ‘to enjoy every minute of the day and be the best you can be’.
However, as the start time drew closer, the enormity of the occasion could clearly be seen on the faces of the young swimmers.
Leamington made a strong start to the gala, which began with a mixture of relay events, to sit second after 10 races behind only City of Leeds and narrowly ahead of Newcastle and Nuneaton and Bedworth.
This spread belief and confidence throughout the team as many swimmers pushed themselves to achieve new personal best (PB) times as they battled for every point roared on by a large contingent of spectators.
And with 10 races to go, Leamington remained in second place as the electric atmosphere helped LSASC hold onto their position to celebrate another historic achievement for the club.
The trophy was proudly collected by LSASC team captains Olivia Taylor and Ethan Gould.
In an outstanding team performance, two Leamington swimmers secured individual race wins.
Team captain Ethan led from start to finish to win the 12-years 50m breaststroke whilst 10-year-old Floren Smith typified Leamington’s spirit in the 50m breaststroke by sealing victory with the final strokes of an extremely close race.
Chairperson Karen Mee said: “The Club continues to surpass its own incredible achievements. To have qualified for the Grand Final for the first time in 2019, and to come second this year is truly remarkable.
“It is testament to the passion, dedication and hard work of all the swimmers and coaching team.”
City of Leeds secured the Junior League title for the fourth time in a row with 350 points with Leamington second on 271 points and Newcastle Swim Team third on 266 points.
Leamington’s rivals Nuneaton and Bedworth were further back in fourth on 257 points with Leyland Barracudas fifth on 212 points, Kingston Royals sixth on 181 points and Lincoln Vulcans seventh on 161 points.
