LANCASHIRE MAKE HISTORY WITH SIXTH TITLE WIN
Lancashire cemented their name in swimming history when they
took a sixth consecutive title at the ASA National County
Team Championships (25m) in Sheffield today. Sponsored by
Topline and Wm Taylor Pools Ltd, the Championships lived up
to all expectations. With county pride at stake, the 38 teams
and more than 1,000 competitors were out to make a winning
start. The quality in all events was clear from the start,
with the first honours of the day going to Fran Halsall (Lancashire)
to get the defending champions off to a winning start in Division
One when she won the girls' 16-17 years 100m Freestyle.
With Lancashire chasing a sixth title, a winning start was
vital. Halsall, who competed at the World Championships in
Melbourne earlier this year touched home in 55.33, and as
one of her county's captains led by example from the start.
European Junior Championship medallist Sasha Matthews (Nottinghamshire)
posted a time of 57.29 to take second place while Rachael
George (Hertfordshire) came third in a time of 57.37. After
four events Lancashire had already started to build a slight
lead, heading nearest rivals Northumberland and Durham by
six points. With four places in top division up for grabs,
the 18 counties in Division Two were out to put their mark
on the Championships. Worcester County got off to a flying
start with Lauren Collins, Robin Williams, Jack Henderson,
James Burden and Rikki Morris all recording top five finishes
early on. However, with all teams hoping to take up those
four places in Division One at the expense of the bottom four
being relegated, it didn't take long before other teams were
at Worcester's heels pushing for top spot.
At the halfway point, Worcester were heading Division Two
as the team continued to put in a number of solid performances
but Wiltshire and Staffordshire were right behind them. Back
in Division One, Lancashire continued to build their lead,
putting them on course for a historic victory. Ryan Bennett
(Lancashire) joined Fran Halsall as captain and followed in
the same footsteps as he took victory in the boys' 16-17 years
100m Backstroke, finishing three seconds clear of his nearest
rival when he touched home in 55.00. Sam Middleton (South
Wales) came second in 58.29 with Marcus Roberts (Somerset
County) taking third place in 58.90. In the girls' 16-17 years
100m Butterfly Northumberland and Durham's Jemma Lowe put
a fantastic performance to take victory and was the only swimmer
to record a sub-60second time. Touching home in 59.13, Lowe
was only 0.55seconds from breaking the British record held
by Terri Dunning. First class performances from the entire
Lancashire team meant that they continued their dominance
of the first division to take victory and the £2,000
cheque. Team captains Halsall and Bennett were keen to praise
all members of the squad. "Everyone has given their all
for the team and to be here to help lead them is fantastic,
and this is one of the most enjoyable events to come to,"
said Halsall.
"Everyone involved in has put in some great performances
and to be able to help some of the younger swimmers coming
through is wonderful." "It's amazing to be part
of a team that has made swimming history and is something
we all will remember for a long time," said Bennett.
Despite Worcester's early lead it was the Wiltshire team that
pulled it out of the bag to win Division Two and gain promotion
to the top division. Joining them in winning promotion to
Division One are Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Oxfordshire
and North Bucks. Their promotion were at the expense of Nottinghamshire,
Scotland West, Essex County and Dorest County in Division
One. Wilshire captain's Aaron Lee and Stacey Wood were thrilled
by the team's promotion. "Wiltshire is only a small county
so to win promotion is fantastic. Everyone put in some great
swims and the team spirit was fantastic," said Wood.
"It was close all the way through and the title could
have been won by three teams going into the final race so
it was great to take the win,"
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