By Mr Castro (Head of Swimming)
Over weekends in January and February, 14 BGS students raced in 95 individual events at their respective County Championships across three counties. The students represented a range of clubs, including Bedford Swim Squad, Putteridge SC, and Flitwick SC.
In Bedfordshire, Emma Morris (Year 5), Esme Kelly (Year 5), Imogen Murphy (Year 5), Amy Jeavons (Year 7), and Izzy Morris (Year 7) competed for Bedford Swim Squad. Leah Edwards-Vogt (Year 5) raced for Putteridge SC, while Grace Jackson (Year 5), Florence Richbell (Year 6), Elizabeth Milne (Year 6), Kitty Toland (Year 6), Eva Jackson (Year 8), and Enya Belcher (Year 9) represented Flitwick SC.
Several swimmers achieved impressive personal bests (PBs). Leah Edwards-Vogt swam eight PBs and placed 2nd overall in the 10/11 age group, with Esme Kelly finishing 4th in the same category. Grace Jackson achieved nine PBs and placed 7th in the 100m breaststroke final. Izzy Morris made the finals in both the 50m and 100m backstroke for 12-year-olds, finishing 4th and 7th, respectively. Elizabeth Milne earned a bronze in the 50m breaststroke final.
Eva Jackson made an outstanding 13-year-old age group showing, claiming silver in the 50m freestyle, bronze in the 100m freestyle and 400m freestyle, and achieving 13 PBs in her 17 events. Her efforts placed her 3rd overall in the 13-year-old age group.
In Cambridgeshire, Megan Barnicoat (Year 9) had an exceptional performance, claiming gold in the 1500m freestyle, 200m butterfly, and 200m freestyle, with silver and bronze in several other events. She also earned six new PBs.
In Oxon and North Bucks, Holly Katasi (Year 10) swam 7 PBs across 9 races and claimed silver in the 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 200m backstroke, while also making finals in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
Finally, it was lovely to see BGS alumnae Lucy Young (BGS 2024) racing in Bedfordshire in all of the 50m events, where she made every final and claimed a silver in the 50m freestyle and gold in the 50m backstroke. She was also in action in February at the BUCS (British University and College Sports) Swimming Championships, and it is great to see her continuing to enjoy her competitive swimming after her successful school swimming career.
