Tom Aylen re-writes record books 

One of Faversham Swimming Club’s finest swimmers, nineteen year old Tom Aylen, bathed in glory at the Club’s recent One Length Outdoor Home Gala.

Tom Shattered two Club records which had held fast since 1999. His sensational sprint swim in the 17 years and over one length freestyle stopped the clock at 17.20. Whilst his performance in the Butterfly race smashed the home record in a time of 18.40.

Tom divides his time spent at the pool with up to five hours training a week and teaching the younger swimmers at various levels of the sport.

Faversham’s other record breakers were Jessica Smith in the girls 15 years freestyle race, smashing a 29 year old record, whilst James Guthrie broke the boys 12 years one length breaststroke record which had been set in 1984.

Faversham’s squad of swimmers grit and determination throughout the event paid off as they snatched first place at the Gala with some spectacular performances which kept for home crowd on the edge of their seats.

Head Coach Sharon Wenn acknowledged the hard work put in by the swimmers, she commented “ Well done Faversham swimmers in taking first place at our Home Gala. We were very lucky with the weather, the rain held off making for a lovely evening in the sunshine and winning the Gala was the icing on the cake “.

Those swimmers snatching 1st place were the 12 x one length breaststroke squadron relay team and the 12 x one length freestyle squadron relay team. Emily Holt girls 9 years freestyle, Richard Catton boys 10 years backstroke and freestyle, Flora Westlake girls 11 years breaststroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 11 years backstroke, James Guthrie boys 12 years breaststroke ( 26.83 club record), freestyle (personal best time 22.16) and backstroke (28.96). Lydia Scott girls 13 years freestyle, Tom Guthrie boys 13 years backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle (P.B.21.44), Jessica Smith ladies open freestyle (20.48 club record). Holly Smith ladies open backstroke and butterfly, Tom Aylen mens open freestyle (17.20 club record), backstroke and butterfly (18.40 club record).

2nd place was awarded to Lauren Scott girls 9 years backstroke (P.B.36.31), Joe Wall boys 10 years butterfly and breaststroke, Molly McKenna girls 11 years freestyle (P.B.25.08) and butterfly. Georgia Collins girls 11 years backstroke (P.B.29.67), Flora Westlake girls 12 years breaststroke, Rebecca Crouch girls 12 years freestyle and backstroke. James Guthrie boys 12 years butterfly (P.B.25.26), Lydia Scott girls 13 years backstroke (P.B.26.78), Emily Westlake ladies open breaststroke (P.B.26.70) and Tom Pearce mens open breaststroke (P.B.23.75).

Third place winners were Nicola Crouch girls 9 years butterfly, Harry McKenna boys 9 years butterfly, Oliver Nye boys 9 years freestyle, Emily Holt girls 10 years freestyle, Molly Stemp girls 10 years backstoke and Poppy Boorman girls 10 years breaststroke. Richard Catton boys 11 years breaststroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 11 years freestyle and butterfly, Rebbecca Crouch girls 12 years butterfly, Lydia Scott girls 13 years butterfly and Tom Guthrie boys 13 years butterfly.

Personal best times were also achieved by Harry McKenna boys backstroke (38.62), Keeley Wrench girls backstroke (30.44), Erica Sellens girls backstroke (28.53), Francis Nye boys backstroke (28.53), Joanne Hawkins girls freestyle (22.63) and backstroke (25.94), Scott Kendall freestyle (19.18) and butterfly (21.63).

The events final results were 1st place Faversham on 243 points, 2nd place Dartford 239 points, 3rd place Herne Bay 208 points, 4th Sittingbourne 152 and 5th Sheerness 127 points.

The Home Gala was supported by Simplyswim, Faversham Swimming Club’s new sponsors.