A small group of girls from Stratford Sharks sponsored by Sitel took to the motorway heading south to compete in the Maxwell Open Level 1 meet in Aylesbury this weekend. The meet which attracts top British Swimmers trying to acheive qualifying times for Midland, National and European Championships is a great experience for the young Sharks swimmers.

  The day started well with Rebecca Tame winning the 10yrs 200m Breaststroke event, Frances Goss joined Rebecca in qualifying to take part in the 10yrs 100m Freestyle they both put in a gutsy performance to take 5th & 6th place respectively both swimming personal best times. Rebecca continued her excellent performance with two further wins in the 200m Back & 100m Breast & a 3rd place in the 200m Freestyle.

  Emma Bysouth is continuing to improve and was just short of getting her National qualifying times, plenty of time yet before the June cut-off, Emma's best position of the day was a fourth place in the girls 50m Freestyle in the combined 11/12yrs age group but with personal bests in 100m, 200m & 400m Freestyle.

  Emma White once again showed her form starting her day with a third place in the 13/14yrs 200m Breaststroke, she followed this with a personal best in the 100m Free, Emma improved on her p.b to set a new club record in the 50m fly and was joined by Charli Cassidy-Morris who also got a p.b. Emma finished her day with a superb performance behind experienced British swimmers to take 2nd place in the 14yrs 100m Breast. Fay Malling & Fran Cassidy-Morris also competed in the 100m Breast following close behind Emma in 8th & 9th places.

  Clare Bassinder at 15 was the oldest of the Sharks swimmers to compete on Saturday in the 15/16yrs age group and once again showed good form setting three club records in the 50m Fly, 100m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle which Claire also won competing in a first class field.

  Well done to all the girls who qualified to compete at the Maxwell Open it was an excellent experience, with the bonus of medals, personal bests and club records.