On Saturday evening the Sussex Schools Swim Meet was held at K2, Crawley. Marlins as always were well represented by 12 swimmers from Regional, National Development and National squads but of course, representing their own schools.

The boys: Ollie Goodhew, Ryan Dooley and Jack Payne all came 1^st in at least one of their events. Ollie came 1^st in both 200IM and 100 backstroke with a .64 pb on his 100 back, Ryan was 1^st in his 200 IM and 200 freestyle and was 3^rd in his 100 breaststroke gaining also his Regional Qualifying Time (RQT). Jack was 1^st in 100 fly with a RQT and 2^nd in 100 breaststroke, another RQT. This was the Marlins swim of the night as Jack admitted it has been a long time since he has swum near that time.

All the girls swam well with several Pb’s achieved:

• Sophy Croydon–Kempster achieved 1.36 Pb on her backstroke;
• Georgie Gratton – 2.82 Pb on her 100 backstroke;
• Naomi Shaw .83 Pb on her 100 backstroke.

Naomi and Georgie swam next to each other in the 100 back; those watching may have thought these two were trying out for the synchronised swim team as it was stroke for stroke down the pool with Naomi just touching out Georgie at the end! Naomi also swam well in her 200 free to get a 4.32 pb.

Newcomer to Mid Sussex Marlins, Jennifer Nash, achieved a good 1.61 PB on her 200 freestyle. Jennifer does not usually enter this event but wanted to see what her fitness was like before the Counties at the end of this month, when asked at the end of the race how that was a happy “whoop whoop” was the reply!

Congratulations to all that swam and represented their schools ans Marlins; Sophy Croydon-Kempster, Brittany Croydon Kempster, Emma Shilton, Georgie Gratton, Leah Clarke, Abi Hosier, Naomi Shaw, Jennifer Nash, Claire Shaw, Jack Payne, Ryan Dooley and Ollie Goodhew.

Also at the weekend, three swimmers attended the long distance county championships.

Jess Matlock (11) competed in 800m Free, gaining a fantastic 32 second Pb and finishing a very respectable 5^th in her age group.

Ryan Dooley(13) and Ollie Goodhew(14) continuing their success on Saturday, both competed in the gruelling 1500 Free, Ryan came 2^nd in age group and 5^th overall, gaining a 37 sec Pb. Ollie came 1^st in age group and Junior Champs, gaining a 30sec Pb.