City of Sunderland Long Course Spring Meet 2011

Once again Hartlepool ASC joined over thirty Swimming Clubs from all over the United Kingdom to compete in the City of Sunderland’s Long Course Spring Meet. The competition took place on the 26th and 27th of March 2011 and was held in Sunderland’s Aquatics Centre a World and Olympic standard 10 lane 50 metre pool

Hartlepool ASC sent four of their A squad swimmers to the Aquatics Centre to compete against a very high level of competition. Senior boy Joseph Laybourn one of Hartlepool’s National Swimmers deputised for Head Coach Ian Bullock who was unavailable due to personal commitments.

Girls12yr old age group swimmer Nicholl Fitzgerald had been entered in eight events and managed to make a personal best time (PBt) in all eight races.  Nicholl managed two top fifteen finishes in the 100m Freestyle and the 100m Fly. She went on to make five top ten positions which where in the 200m and the 400m Individual Medley, the 200m and the 400m Freestyle and also in the 100m Breast Stroke.  Nicholls best event came in the 50m Backstroke event where she finished in fourth place.

In the Boys 13yrs age group Sam McMorris had top Fifteen positions in the 200m Individual Medley with a new PBt and the 100m Backstroke, in the 50m and the 100m Freestyle events he made two top ten placings and carved out two new PBt’s.  A lot of controversy occurred during Sam’s 50m Fly event.  It looked like Sam had powered his way into a medal position only to be told later he had been disqualified for moving.  However nobody had actually witnessed it , the movement was that minor it was only picked up by the computer read out. (as a lot of swimmers have discovered over the years this is an extremely strict sport) In his 200m Fly event he took a top five spot while also making a new PBt.  Sam’s highlight of the weekend came in his 50m Fly where he touched the wall in 3rd place picking up a Bronze Medal and more importantly a new PBt for his effort.  Hartlepool’s other boys 13yrs age group swimmer Callum Torka started off the meet with a top ten position in the 200m Freestyle event, in the 100m Fly event Callum swam extremely well but new before he had even touched the wall at the end of his race he was disqualified for moving on the blocks.  Undeterred by this result Callum made three top five positions in the 100m Freestyle, the 200m Individual Medley and the 50m Backstroke along with a PBt. Callum stepped up the pace on his final three events. He made a Bronze medal and a new PBt in the 50m Breast Stroke, a Silver medal and a new PBt in the 50m Freestyle, and finally Callum’s icing on the cake came in the 50m Fly and the 200m Fly events where he powered his way into first place in both events picking up two well deserved Gold Medals and two well deserved personal best times.

Hartlepool’s boys 14yrs age group swimmer Oliver Stoker competed in eight events. He managed three top ten positions in the200m Freestyle, the 50m Freestyle making a new PB and the 100m Freestyle also making a new PB.  Top 5 positions where achieved in the  200m Breast Stroke, the 100m Breast Stroke and the 50m Backstroke making a new PB in the latter event.  Oliver’s high spots came when he picked up two medals.  They where a Bronze in the gruelling 400m Freestyle event and a Silver in the 50m Butterfly event making personal Best times in both of the events.

On behalf of the swimmers who took part in the competition I would like to say a big thank you to Joseph Laybourn for looking after them over the two day event.

Press release HASC 33 – 7th April 2011
Issued by Marley Jackson, on 01642 735303 or 07817263803