LEAMINGTON Spa Amateur Swimming Club (LSASC) have qualified for the National Arena Swimming League National ‘B’ Final for the second consecutive year.
A thrilling regional final saw Leamington qualify for the National B Final where they will come up against nine other top clubs from across England and Wales.
The team, aged nine to 20-years-old, competed over three rounds in the autumn – racing a mixture of individual events and relays – and consistently swam strongly, showing great teamwork, to initially qualify for the regional final.
This saw Leamington compete against top local clubs which included City of Coventry, Solihull, Worcester, Boldmere and Chase with a top-two finish required to ensure progression to the National finals weekend at Cardiff International Pool next year.
LSASC were led by captains Annabel Crees and Louis McAuliffe, who started strongly and guided Leamington into second position behind City of Coventry after 10 events.
However, a strong team effort from Solihull pushed Leamington into third place by the narrowest of margins as LSASC trailed Solihull by just three points with the final four relay events left to swim.
The atmosphere at Pingles Leisure Centre in Nuneaton was electric with supporters from all clubs roaring on their teams.
And Leamington’s swimmers held their nerve and dug deep to take second place by a single point in an extraordinary finish.
In an incredible team performance, particular mention should go to Leamington’s 15-year-old’s Annabel, Teia Hendley, Andre Onyekwe, Charlie Rounce and Ned Stevens who were unbeaten in their freestyle and medley relays in all three rounds.
The club were particularly dominant in the medley relay where their closest rival in all rounds was more than two seconds behind.
A special mention also goes to 11-year old Kyden Sheppard who stepped up into the team on the day of the final due to illness and rose to the challenge by swimming his four events brilliantly.
Chairperson Karen Mee said: “Last month, our juniors came second in the National Junior League Final, so for the club to now qualify for the Arena League National ‘B’ Final for the second consecutive year has really rounded off an amazing year for our swimmers.
“Well done to all the swimmers and coaches.”
