The 2nd weekend of the Kent County Championships took place on the 4th and 5th of March. This time it involved swimmers and parents travelling to the far reaches of Kent (at least it is if you live towards the coast) to compete in the 800/1500m freestyle and team relay events at Crystal Palace, and a second day of competition at the leisure complex at Southborough, Tunbridge Wells. Unfortunately I didn't find any stashes of cash so had to make do with watching the swimming, which as usual generated great swims, races and excitement.

Results to follow

The racing started with the girls 800m freestyle, a race where stamina and determination are needed in abundance. Exactly what was shown by Holly Ralfe (12yr) and Helen Robinson (13yr) in winning their respective age groups.

With Sophie Tomlin (14yr) gaining 2nd , Caroline Robinson and Becky Everest grabbing 3rd and 4th respectively in the 11yr age group and Danielle Ingleston swimming home in 5th place it shows that Canterbury swimmers have got what it takes, be it for a 50m sprint or a long distance swim.

Next came the first session of relays where our swimmers, swimming strongly all morning found themselves pitted against the strong squads from Beckenham and other Kent swim clubs.

The girls 12 and under team were stars, winning the 200m medley relay, a feat they repeated in the afternoon session in the 200m freestyle race. Not far behind were the 13/14 girls 200m medley team, the boys 12 and under 200m freestyle team and the women's open 400m freestyle team, all winning silvers. There were bronzes for the 13/14 200m boys freestyle team and the 16yrs and under 200m freestyle team. The men's 200m medley team came 4th and the men's 15/16 200 medley team 5th

Now came the men's 1500m races, gruelling when your 100% fit, so for Luke Smith to go out and win his age group, even after his illnesses just shows how determined he is. As well as Luke's gold Jacob Gainey (12yrs) and Jazz Malcom both swam into silver medal position.

In the second phase of relay competition Canterbury swimmers still showed their fighting spirit and continued their successes. As well as the previously mention 12 and under girls team the men's 16yrs and under 200m freestyle team also grabbed gold. Silvers went to the women's 400m medley, women's 15/16 200m freestyle and men's 15/16 200m freestyle teams. The girls 13/14 yr 200m freestyle and womens 16 yr 200m teams came away with bronze, while the mens 13/14 200m medley and boys 12yr and under swam into 4th places.

So to Southborough, where continuing their winning ways, Josh Maley (17/18yr) and Holly Ralfe (12yr) won the men's 400m IM and the girls 50m fly respectively. Also winners in the morning session were Sophie Tomlin (14yr) 100m backstroke, Lauren Wraight (15yr) 100m backstroke and Guy Hewett 13yr in the 200m fly. In the same race Luke Smith (14yr) and Aleks Krunic (13yr) swam into silver medal placing.

There was also a silver for Holly Ralfe in the girls 100m freestyle. Bronzes went to Ryan Powell (12yr),and Aleks Krunic in the 50m backstroke and Louise Smith (14yr) in the 100m backstroke. Helen Robinson (13yr) grabbed a 4th placing in the 100m freestyle and a 6th in the 50m fly. Catherine Lough produced another fine swim to get 4th in the 100m backstroke.

Emma Harris and Emma Drabble followed each other home in the 100m back stroke to grab 4th and 5th in the 15yr age group. In the same race but in the 17/18 year category Natalie Shilling and Emma Hinde won and silver and 5th placing. In the mens 16yr 50m fly Kevin Chui grab 5th place, with a 6th place for Jacob Gainey in the 50m backstroke and Amy Ralfe in the 100m Backstroke.

The afternoon session started with the womens 100m freestyle, always a great event to watch, so it proved this time . There were placing in the 14yr age group for Catherine Lough 5th and Louise Smith 6th , and also for Emma Drabble (15yr) and Emma Stanely (16yr), who came in 5th and 6th place respectively. There were more golds for Josh Maley (17/18yr) , in the mens 200m backstroke, Aleks Krunic in the 13 yr category of the 100m freestyle and Holly Ralfe in the 12yr 400m IM.

Silver medal placing also came thick and fast with Helen Robinson 13yr 400m IM, Louise Smith 14yr 200m IM, Natalie Shilling, 17/18yr 200 IM, Holly Ralfe 12 yr 50m freestyle, Ryan Powell 12 yr 100m freestyle and Michael Stanley 14yr 100m freestyle all coming away with a round piece of silver. Natalie Moore 12yr also came away with bronze in the 50m freestyle as did Josh Maley in the 100m Breaststroke and Stephanie Chaplin 17/18 yr in the 200IM. In the 50m free Caroline Robinson 11yr and Bethany Seaman 10yr both came in 5th place. There was a 4th place for Sophie Tomlin in the 200m IM and Guy Hewett in the 100m freestyle, and 5th placing in the same event for Catherine Lough, Francesca Beale and Emma Stanely. There was also a 5th place for Danielle Ingleston in the 400m IM