LANCASHIRE WIN AGAIN FOR THE 6th YEAR IN A ROW
I travelled to Sheffield early on the Sunday morning having had a very restless night worrying about the competition. I had become a statistics anorak having spent hours studying the ASA Rankings, looking at the provisional programme, working out the points, comparing it to last year’s swims etc. The results of my analysis were worrying – Northumberland & Durham looked on paper as if they might just win but at the back of my mind I kept thinking about the absolutely amazing performances that the Lancashire swimmers had produced in the past with the most unbelievable PB’s that had no resemblance at all to the entry times.
The team arrived ready for the team talk – all I asked of the swimmers was to do their best and if, at the end, everyone had done their best and we had not won then we could hold our heads high.
Warm up came and went and it was now time for the parade of the Team Captains. Yet again the Lancashire Captains stood out amongst all the other teams – they looked so professional in their team kit. I always believe if a team looks like a team they will perform like a team and the Lancashire swimmers were A TEAM!
The competition then started and after the first event Lancashire went into the lead and stayed in the lead for the rest of the competition. I have to say I felt sorry for Northumberland and Durham with their disqualification but the final result shows we would have won anyway.
The Lancashire Team won many events and a large number of the team produced the most outstanding personal best performances - many swimmers astounded at their own times.
The Team staff were excellent- preparing the swimmers for their races and giving the feedback and support after every race.
It was for me a stressful gala as usual and my blood pressure has slowly returned to normal.
The last event – the Cannon- by then the Executive Director for the Competition had just visited us on the balcony to ask us to get ready for the presentation ceremony. WE HAD WON. Watching the Cannon showed the strength of the team with a very convincing win 4 seconds ahead of the opposition.
Time for the presentation – the Team looked magnificent that is all I can say.
Presentation over and time for a final say from me. I started with my congratulations and then a voice from the team said ‘deja vu’ (thanks Dan). Yet again I was so proud of all the swimmers – they were all a credit to their families, their home Clubs and to their County.
I have been privileged to be team manager to the Lancashire Team for over 10 years and have been so proud of all the swimmers. This was my last County Championships as Team Manger – what a way to finish – winning for the 6th year in a row- making history with the best team in the Country.
The Team
Chief Coach Lee Holland
Assistant Coach Helen Billington
Team Captains Francesca Halsall, Ryan Bennett
16/17 100 freestyle Francesca Halsall 1st
Rob Bale 1st
12/13 100 breaststroke Brogan Dean 7th
Daniel Phillips 6th
14/15 100 butterfly Lois Vail 15th
George Harrington 4th
16/17 100 backstroke Francesca Halsall 1st
Ryan Bennett 1st
12/13 100 freestyle Emma Saunders 2nd
Jordan Theaker 3rd
14/15 100 breaststroke Rebecca Minihan 5th
Blake Wilson 5th
16/17 100 butterfly Amanda Nugent 3rd
16/17 Medley Team Adam Shaw 1st
Ryan Bennett
Daniel Sliwinski
Rob Bale
12/13 Medley Team Emma Saunders 2nd
Brogan Dean
Laura Halsall
Rebecca Fausset
14/15 Medley Team Craig Langley 4th
Matthew Parks
George Harrington
Blake Wilson
16/17 100 butterfly Ryan Bennett 1st
12/13 100 backstroke Rebecca Fausset 2nd
Jordan Theaker 4th
14/15 100 freestyle Katrina Alder 1st
Craig Langley 16th
16/17 100 breaststroke Stephanie Slater 1st
Daniel Sliwinski 1st
12/13 100 butterfly Laura Halsall 9th
Cameron Austin 10th
14/15 100 backstroke Katrina Alder 1st
Craig Langley 10th
16/17 Medley Team Francesca Halsall 1st
Emily Jackson
Amanda Nugent
Stephanie Slater
12/13 Medley Team Jordan Theaker 1st
Cameron Austin
Daniel Phillips
Sam Horrocks
14/15 Medley Team Katrina Alder 6th
Rebecca Minihan
Lois Vail
Megan Langley
Freestyle Cannon Francesca Halsall 1st
Katrina Alder
Emma Saunders
Ryan Bennett
Craig Langley
Jordan Theaker
Toby Tunstall
Team Manager
22/10/07