Crouch leads medal collection 

Some of Faversham Swimming Club’s elite swimmers scooped a collection of personal best times at the recent East Invicta Championships held at Kingsmead swimming pool in Canterbury.

The crowd were treated to some impressive swims from the squad with two of Faversham’s finest producing some remarkable performances in the gruelling 800 metre events.

Rebecca Crouch was on fine form as her sensational pace in the girls 800 metre freestyle earned her a well deserved silver medal in a personal best time of 11 mins 39 secs diminishing her previous time by 16 seconds. It was a very busy championship for young Rebecca as she also entered the 100 metre butterfly, 200 metre backstroke and 100 metre backstroke.

Faversham’s other proud medal winner was Molly McKenna, who shed tears of joy after scooping a bronze medal in the girls 800 metre freestyle in a personal best time of 11 mins 44 secs. Molly also had an industrious time at the championships with her other events including the 400 metre freestyle where she snatched a personal best time of 5.37.55. Another record went crashing in her fabulous swim in the 200 metre freestyle in a time of 2.40.95.

Flora Westlake’s continuous motivation during training paid off as she achieved a Kent time in the 50 metre breaststroke of 42.97 seconds. Flora gathered a hat trick of personal best times in the 200 metre breaststroke (3.25.63), 50 metre freestyle (36.48) and the 100 metre individual medley (1.27.71).

Olivia Hawkins reached a personal best time in the 50 metre freestyle (35.80) and the 50 metre backstroke (40.04), Olivia also entered the 100 metre freestyle.

There was no resting for Faversham’s Lydia Scott as she entered no less than 8 events during the championships. Her grit and determination earned her personal best times in the 100 metre breaststroke (1.32.41), 200 metre freestyle (2.35.06), 100 metre backstroke (1.21.25) and 100 metre individual medley (1.21.55). Lydia also entered the 100 metre freestyle, 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre breaststroke and 100 metre butterfly.

Young Nicola Crouch entered the 50 metre breaststroke, Jasmine locke swam in the 200 metre butterfly and Joanne Hawkins entered the 100 metre backstroke.

Faversham’s boys entered the championships full of team spirit, Ben Collins sprint in the 100 metre butterfly gave him a personal best time of 1.23.09, another time went crashing in the 100 metre backstroke (1.21.67). Ben also entered the 50 metre freestyle event.

Joe wall acquired a personal best time in the boys 50 metre backstroke in 46.36, the 50 metre freestyle (36.60), the 100 metre individual medley (1.37.36) and the 50 metre butterfly (46.55). Joe also entered the 50 metre breaststroke race.

Blaine Ramsden entered the 50 metre backstroke, whilst Richard Catton entered the 50 metre freestyle and 50 metre backstroke.

Head Coach Sharon Wenn praised the swimmers and commented “ Congratulations to all the swimmers who qualified for the East Invicta Championships, it is a great achievement. There were some wonderful personal best times swam, well done to you all “.

Other clubs who took part were Thanet Swim, Ashford Town, Canterbury, Dover Lifeguard, Margate, Hythe, Folkestone and Herne Bay.