National swimming League league
Bodmin Dragons took to the road last weekend (November14) travelling to Bournemouth to compete in Round 2 of the National Arena Swimming League.
Having come second in round 1 by one agonising point (231 to 230) a win was vital if promotion to Division 1 was to be achieved this year. Facing Bournemouth ‘B’, Caradon, Bridgewater, Exmouth and Kingsbridge it initially looked as though the Dragons might struggle, having obtained only two third places in the first 2 events.
However from that point on the Dragons took complete control winning 22 of the next 48 races. They eventually won by 60 points beating second place Bournemouth by 60 points (244 to 184). There were too many superb swims for everyone to get a mention but the team spirit can best be exemplified by 2 swimmers who did not even enter the water until the very end of the competition when Bodmin were already guaranteed victory.
14 year old Alex Toptani knew that his team had already won, when, swimming the back stroke leg of the relay in event 48 (out of 50), he swam a 2 second personal best to help his squad to victory. But pride of place must go to Cameron Russell who had to wait until the very final event for his first and only swim. Leading off the men’s open freestyle relay he put his team into a lead which they maintained throughout.
Bodmin enter the final and decisive round on December 12 knowing that a good performance will take them into division one for the first time in their history.
Round 2 scores
Bodmin 244
Bournemouth 'B' 184
Kingsbridge Kingfishers 182
Bridgewater 156
Exmouth 146
Caradon 119
Visit the National Arena League (formerly Speedo) web site at
www.nationalswimmingleague.org.uk
The Bodmin squad picture - Front row (from left to right) Daniel Puckey, Isaac Solomon, Joe Tibbs, George Spencer, Shannon-Mae Watkins, Charlotte Toptani
Second row (from left to right) Alex Toptani, Ruby Long, Lauren Kellaway, Stephen Harris, Josh Solomon and coaches Dave Darbourne & Sarah Thomas
Third row (from left to right) Cameron Russell, Kieron Jenkins, Daniel Gregg, Katie Bampton, Brogan Parsons, Natalie Harbisher, Henry Jarvis, Clare Gregg
Back row (from left to right) Ollie Jarvis, Hugh Harvey, Emily Kane, Millie Saunder, Abbe Reskelly, Emily Harbisher, Molly Long, Emma Rivers.
The team arrived back in Cornwall in the early hours of Sunday morning exhausted but elated. Special thanks should also go to Club Coaches Simon Darbourne, Chris Harbisher and Keith Haynes as well as team managers Amanda Jenkins, Clare Bampton and John Jarvis.
Simon gives a few last minute instructions to Josh, Lauren, Kieron, Brogan and Katie. Or is he just making sure that they are only wearing one swimsuit.
Simon teaching Keiron how to dive in head first
Bodmin Dragons – National Swimming League 2009.
This is the most prestigious swimming competition in the UK. Bodmin compete in Division 2 of the South west division (having been promoted in 2007). Bodmin just missed out on a second promotion last year and will be looking to improve on that in 2009.
There are 3 rounds with the final round being the most important from a league point of view. Please put these dates in your diaries if you believe you might be selected
Round 1 – Exeter Riverside – Saturday October 10 against (Caradon, Dawlish, Paignton, Swindon SX3 “B”, 3 Towers Somerset).
Round 2 – Saturday November 14 TBA (depends on results of round 1)
Round 3 December 12 TBA (depends on results of round 2)
There are 4 age groups – 11 & under, 13 & under, 15 & Under & Open. Swimmers must be within their age group on December 31 to qualify. Thus to make the 13 & under team, you must be 13 or under on December 31. Swimmers can also swim “up” (i.e. in an older age group) if necessary.
Events - The 13 & 11 year old teams swim Boys & Girls 50m Free, Breast stroke, Back & Fly as well as Free & Medley relays – 4x50m).
The Open and 15 year old groups swim 100m (same strokes) and Free relay (6x50m for Open, 4x50m for 15 & under) & Medley relays (4x50m). There is also an Open 100m Individual Medley race.
Team selection policy – The fastest team will be chosen in each round from Bodmin swimmers. If there is a lack of COMPETITIVE Bodmin swimmers for any age group (swimmers capable of a top 6 county finish across a range of strokes at the age level in which they will be competing), then we may select swimmers from another club who also are members of Bodmin at the time of the competition.
In the 2 early rounds we will endeavour to choose slightly larger teams to give competitive swimmers from the 10, 12 & 14 year old age groups (who would otherwise struggle to qualify) a chance to experience the league format.
Selection is never easy and mistakes have been made in the past. On that basis if you think a swimmer has been left out unfairly please address your concerns ONLY to Debbie Jarvis (she is often at pool side or email her (thejarvishouseholde@tiscali.co.uk), the team manager. We do not wish to disappoint our swimmers and will do all we can to address your concerns. But please note that choosing a swimming team is not always as obvious as it appears, so please bear with us.
To give as many swimmers as possible a chance of section we hope to hold time trials in September so please keep an eye out on the notice board for dates.
