Saturday 30th/Sunday 31st April 2019, Luton Sports Village

On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st March 2019, four Hertford SC swimmers attended the Team Luton Long Course March Open Meet. This is a Level 1 open meet (the highest level of competition) which is valid for qualification for Regional and National Championships. 

Joe Reynolds, Joshua Holland, Joshua Trapp and Neo Metz entered the event as a ‘test meet’ in preparation for their participation in the Swim England East Region Long Course Championships, which will take place in May 2019.

It was the first long course meet of the season (50m pool) and their experience will greatly help over the upcoming weeks of training.

Joe Reynolds (14) nailed the 50 breast, showing consistent pace and control to finish in 36.21, a time faster than his current SC (short course PB) and a Regional Qualifying Time (RQT). He also swum the LC 100 breast for the first time ever, where he performed a great first length (1;24.86; LC PB) to confirm his RQT for the event.

Joshua Holland (16) competed in the 100 fly (1;03.54) to also confirm his qualification for Regionals. The effects of Joshua’s hard work on stroke length are showing more and more in competition settings; in fact, in the 50 fly, he made an impressive recovery from a slightly short dive, holding a fantastic rhythm in the 2nd part of the race, to touch base in 27.37, just off his LC PB, and convincingly within the RQT. 

Joshua Trapp (18) experienced for the first time the LC 100 free, which he swum in 57.66 (LC PB): this is probably the toughest LC event, where maximum power is required over two 50m lengths. Joshua managed an excellent first 50m and sustained a good pace in the second half of the race. He also swum the 50 fly (28.06, LC PB, RQT), where he performed a fantastic dive and first 15m.

Neo Metz (19) showed such a beautiful stroke in both his 50 and 100 breast: his body position has greatly improved and Neo is swiftly increasing the distance over which he can sustain good stroke efficiency. Neo confirmed his 50 breast RQT (33.45) and achieved a LC PB in the 100 breast, touching base in 1;15.99.

It was a pleasure being on poolside with Joe, Josh, Josh and Neo: we are entering a busy training phase which will take us to Regionals, and I am very excited to be working with them over the next weeks!

Best wishes

Manuela