ESSA Secondary School Relay Finals 2016 include four P79 Swimmers

It was great to see 4 Pioneer 79 Swimmers competing in London at the Aquatics Centre for their respective schools at the ESSA Secondary School Relay Finals. (Joe Murray, Ewan McKavett, Niamh Robinson, Harry Robinson)

Joe and Ewan were competing for the 5th year in a row for St Christopher's CofE School, Accrington, after successfully qualifying for the competition in both the Senior Boys 4x50m Medley Relay and 4x50 Freestyle Relay.

In the heat of the Medley Relay, the team had a great swim, finishing in a time of 1.53.88, 7th overall, securing themselves a place in the final.  Joe swam an impressive Breaststroke leg in a time of 30.94, whilst Ewan took over from him with the Fly where he swam a phenomenal time of 26.84!

In the final, the St Christopher's team had another exciting race, Joe slightly improved on his heat time finishing in 30.76, Ewan, after an outstanding swim in the heat unfortunately finished slightly slower than his hear in 27.55, still a excellent swim.  The team improved their time finishing in 1.53.26, climbing into 5th position overall!

The St Christopher's team also competed in the 4x50 Free Relay, finishing 18th overall in a time of 1.44.76.  Ewan swam the first leg in a superb time of 25.97, whilst Joe swam the third leg in another great time of 26.06!  The St Christopher's team consisted of Joe Murray, Ewan McKavett, Harry Pilkington and Robert Bryce (Burnley Bobcats)

Harry was swimming for Canon Slade School, Bolton.  The Junior boys team qualified to swim in both the 4x50 Medley and 4x50 Freestyle Relays, the first time the school had qualified to compete at the finals in the junior boys age group for over 25 years!

In the heat of the Medley relay, Harry swam the butterfly leg in a time of 31.91, the team qualified 5th fastest for the final in an impressive time of 2.12.87.  In the final, unfortunately, the team swam slightly slower than they did in the heat, however they managed to maintain their position, finishing 5th overall in a time of 2.13.31.  The Canon Slade school team consisted of Harry, plus Dan Gregory and Sam Murphy (Blackburn Centurions) and Jake Reynolds (Horwich)

In the 4x50 Freestyle relay, Harry swam the third leg in a time of 30.47, the team finished 10th overall in a time of 2.02.32, securing a place in the final.  In the final, the team maintained their position, finishing 10th in a time of 2.03.22, unfortunately, the scoreboards went down, so no split times were available.  Harry was joined in this relay with Sam Murphy and Zac Walmsley (Blackburn Centurions) and Jake Reynolds (Horwich).

Niamh, although assisting the team to qualify for this event in both relay events, it was decided that she would not be taking part in the 4x50 Freestyle relay, but she would be swimming the Breaststroke leg of the 4x50 Medley Relay.  In the heat, Niamh swam the breaststroke leg in a time of 32.10, with the team qualifying fastest for the final in 1.58.43.  In the final, she improved on her heat split in the Breaststroke leg, swimming 31.81.  The team were in a nail biting fight for the finish with Millfield School, but were unfortunately pipped at the post - finishing 2nd (just 1/100th of a second behind Millfield) in a time of 1.57.55.

Some great swims from all Pioneer 79 swimmers..... Well done to you all! 👏🏻