Sixteen teams make up the North
West Premier Division of the Arena National Swimming League. The area
competition is held over three Saturdays in the autumn with the level of
competition being very high. This was highlighted in a baptism of fire in
October where we were drawn between Preston (the eventual runners up) and
Ellesmere College. In the men’s open 100m Backstroke Jack Kenwright found
himself swimming between Chris Walker-Hebbon (of Olympic fame) and Ryan Bennett
(winner of the Scottish short course). The overall performance was excellent,
especially when it is considered that the majority of the team were swimming in
the lower half of double year age groups. Matthew Whitehead deserves a special
mention competing in the 13 & U Butterfly as a 10year old. At the end of
the evening we came fifth in our gala, making us thirteenth overall.
November saw Carlisle back at
Blackpool for another gruelling heat, this time coming seventh on the night.
With an overall position of thirteenth a trip to Macclesfield and the B final waited
in the December round.
After the initial round of
relays we had a creditable position of fifth in the heat. Then the first
individual event set the scene for some excellent performances with Holly
Howson winning the 10 & U 50m Backstroke. Laura Davison came second in both
the 15 & U and 13 & U 100m butterfly, with the races being only five
minutes apart. Matthew Nicholson won the men’s 100m Breaststroke, which was won
by Jack Barker in the previous two rounds. These were just some of the
highlights of some excellent competing with all of the swimmers fighting to the
end of their races to achieve the best possible placing. Special mention must
go to Owen Walker for anchoring the 6 x 50m freestyle relay, being a good foot
shorter than the rest of the swimmers on the blocks. Our final position on the
night was third, making us eleventh in the league, a brilliant result with
deserved congratulations to all those who took part.
