THE Harlow Penguins swimmers started their season with a splash as they triumphed at the first two open meets of the season.  For the first competition in the water the squad were welcomed at the Level 4 Early County Qualifier Meet hosted by Epping & District Swimming Club.  They were fast to impress with swimmers gaining some great times in first time events and also bagging some Essex county qualifying times in some of their stronger events too.  Harlow left with a medal haul of 33 Gold, 25 Silver and 13 Bronze and of course big smiles all around.

Next up came the Level 2 National Qualifier at City of Cambridge home venue, with tough qualification criteria to enter, the Penguins took a strong contingent of swimmers to race against some incredible competitors.  With a full programme on offer, the team performed well across the board with Amelia M, Max A, Summer B, Bobby M and George J reaching finals in multiple events and podium finishes from Bobby with two silver medals in the 100m free and 200m free, Max with a Silver in the 400m free, Amelia a bronze in 50m breast and a double Bronze for George in the 100m free and 100m breaststroke as well as additional Essex county qualifying times achieved for other swimmers racing.  Despite a flurry of withdrawals due to illness, the Penguins achieved a solid 10th club position overall for the meet.

In the same weekend, one of our senior swimmers, Glennon L, was selected to represent Essex at the annual English national inter-county team champs in Sheffield’s Ponds Forge.   He put out a great performance as part of the 200m medley relay team, smashing his previous time raced at the English Summer Nationals in August!

The Penguins are looking forward to their next competition weekend on the 21st October at Harlow Leisurezone.

Ends.