Atlantis crown a sparkling 2014 with great win

Atlantis crowned a sparkling 2014 with a resounding victory in the Division 1 final gala to ensure their return to the National Arena League South Premier Division for 2015 (by Andy Kershaw).
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jan 2015, 17:20 BST

Despite the loss of their main training facility at the Horsham Pavillions over the last fortnight the club’s professional coaches Bill Penny and Andy Lobley produced a highly motivated team who after getting their noses in front approaching halfway in the 50 event programme kept their excited supporters breathless as they repelled the challenges of close rivals Crawley and Brighton. The orders of the night to the team were to keep their discipline and fight for every possible point and they delivered fantastically with no disqualifications and storming finishes from everyone. The final podium placings were Atlantis 212, Crawley 193, Brighton 187. This success cements their position as Sussex’s top swim club with the next big challenge coming in February and March when the club defends their County top overall points title. With the Pavillions pool not due to reopen until February the club’s coaching staff will be hard pressed to keep their charges in top shape using a wide spread of alternative facilities and starting as early as 5.30am at Billingshurst & Steyning,

Saturday’s success was a great overall team effort motivated by some outstanding individual efforts.

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The 11 yrs girls were outstanding with 6 wins from 6 with Rebecca Barber taking the breaststroke & free, Ethel Whyman (back) Emma Morris(fly) and joined by Ellie Smith to romp home in both relays. Our 11/10 boys Michael Pallister(fly&free) Jacob Davis(breast) and Will Carey (back) with Oliver Etheridge (relays)swam well gaining valuable points and experience Dan Jones (breast & fly)and Sam Hawkins (back& free)led the 13/12 boys challenge joined by James North, Nick Cooper and Cameron Holden for the relays. The 13/12 girls scored big with Freya Fulcher(fly & back) Maddie Carey(free) and Eve Clarke(breast) with Isobel Hooker in relays Beth Britton (free & back) and Lily Davis (breaststroke) won their races in the girls 15/14 with Isobel Storey(fly) & Lauren Pedal (relays) Beth & Lily then joined Yasmin Hooker (back)and Jade Stocker ( im) Chloe Baker(relays) to contest the open events with good results Although still recovering from an injury Rebecca Lobley currently swimming&studying at Loughborough University joined in to bolster our open girls relay.

The 15 /14yrs boys James Hartley,Aiden Sparling, Hamish Skilman,Ed Hundleby and Joseph Carter are developing rapidly and scored well as are our young open swimmers Matt Fulcher,Andrew Kershaw,Cavan Murphy & George Charter who were joined by veteran evergreen Chris Tait for the final relay.

Related topics:Division 1BrightonCrawley