Royal Tunbridge Wells Monson Swimming Club (Monson) travelled to Sevenoaks last weekend for the third and final round of this seasons National Arena Swimming League South Division One East.
MONSON, one of the founding members of the league, went into the last round in 8th place and a string of 1st places finishes saw them hold thier current league position and maintain their place in the league from last year.
Senior team Captains Beth Hathaway and Callum Ryan were the first to compete. Racing in the senior Individual Medleys and opening with a second and fifth place respectively. Eight relays followed with wins for the girl’s 13/U and 15&U Freestyle relays, which were to underline Monson’s later dominance in the ladies Freestyle events. At the first points check, after event 10, Monson were in second place, two points off the lead.
Comfortable wins for Annabel Guye-Johnson (13&U Breast), Savanna Jemmett (15&U Back) and Callum Ryan (15&U Back) saw Monson draw level with the leaders by event 18. Another impressive win for Savanna, this time in the open Back and one from Caitlin Fearon (13&U Back) followed, but were not enough to prevent Monson slipping back to second, five points adrift by event 26, but still very much in contention.
Stephanie Andrews won the 11&U Breast and Charlotte Chapman the 15&U Freestyle, but an unfortunate disqualification cost Monson dear and by event 34 were fourteen points behind the leaders. Emphatic wins by Caitlin Fearon (13&U Freestyle) and Beth Hathaway (Open Freestyle) saw a sixteen point differential at event 42. Three wins in the in the girls 13&U Freestyle Relay, the boys 15&U Medley Relay, and a total domination of the Ladies Open Freestyle relay, where Monson won by a massive thirteen seconds were not enough to close the gap.
There were also second places for: Ella Ryan, Annabel Guye-Johnson, girls 9/11 Freestyle and Medley relays and Ladies Open Medley Relay and thirds for: Aiden Crewe, Charlotte Chapman, Charlotte Scholes, Josh Harrison, Bridie Forster, Anna Wessels, Boys 9/11 years Freestyle and Medley relays, Girl’s 13&U Freestyle Relay, Boy’s 15&U Freestyle Relay. Other Monson team members were: Mia Burns, Anna Bayley, Emma Green, Eve Carless, Kody Bradbury, Daniel Solomon, Simon Newton, Anthony Bayley, Harry Green, Ben Fitzsimmons, George Hinton, Sam Fenton, Joe Stevens and Nick Newton.
Kim Longland, Monson’s Director of swimming commented: “We had hoped to maybe sneak a win, but the disqualification cost us dear and a few swimmers are looking a little tired after the recent weeks of heavy competition. We are still in a rebuilding process and where we are strong we are dominant! Most of our swimmers were out of age and we are starting to fill the gaps but that won’t happen overnight. Our focus is still very much on championship swimming” said a contented Longland.
Anyone interested in the clubs activities or in joining RTWM should consult the New Member Enquiry Page on the Club website: www.rtwmonson.org.