It was fantastic to head off to Walsall for the annual Midlands ISA Swimming Gala on Thursday 3 November. It is always a fabulous event with such a great atmosphere. This year there were 27 schools competed with over 300 students swimming. The excitement, anticipation and adrenaline on the bus was palpable.
After a very short warm up, explanation and demonstration of the starting procedures the Year 4 breaststrokers were the first up. Matthew made his way to poolside as our first Crescent competitor, and did a fantastic job finishing 2nd in his heat and 7th overall putting valuable points on the table for Crescent.
Next up was Roisin, who had a superb swim to win her heat and a nervous wait to find out if she had won the whole event to earn the place at National Finals. Sam B was next up for Year 5, putting in another confident swim finishing 3rd in his heat and 9th overall. Ellie and Charlie stepped up for the Year 6 breaststroke race with Ellie diving in to make a fantastic start pulling away from her opponents quickly to finish her heat in 1st place and taking 2nd place overall and the Silver medal. Charlie put in a strong swim to finish 3rd in his heat and 11th overall.
The next event was the backstroke with Sophie taking to the water for the Year 4 girls. A powerful start saw her take the lead ploughing her way through the water confidently to win the heat and finish in 4th place overall. Zac powered through the water for the Year 4 boys finishing his race strongly to touch first in his heat and 2nd overall, taking the Silver medal. Next up was Roisin and Alex G for the Year 5 team both gliding effortlessly through the water to win their heats and going on to win Bronze medals overall. The Year 6 races followed with Bella finishing in 4th in her heat and 16th overall and Sam M powered through the water to win his heat and winning the Silver medal.
We then moved on to the Year 6 butterfly races with our swimming captains Ellie and Sam taking part. Ellie had a great start with a superb dive before fluidly making her way through the water in a tightly contested heat to touch in 1st place, and earning herself a Gold medal for 1st place overall. It was then Sam’s turn, he also had an impressive start, from a racing dive, and he put in a commanding performance to win a Bronze medal in 3rd place overall.
Ploughing through the programme we moved on to the freestyle races with Sophie stepping up for the Year 4 girls with an energetic performance to finish 2nd in her heat and 4th overall. Maxi took to the water for the boys with a very thrilling performance, to finish in Silver medal position overall. It was then Sofie and Timi’s turn for the Year 5s with Sofie finishing 11th overall and Timi 10th overall, both swimming fantastically. Chloe put up a solid performance for the Year 6 girls in a strong heat placing 17th overall. Alex G dived in for the Year 6 boys swimming strongly to take 12th place overall.
After a short lunch break we moved in to the final events of the day the freestyle relays and what an exciting climax they were with every student swimming their socks off for the team. The Year 4 boys team, Maxi, Zac, Lewis and Matthew finished in 5th place, Year 5 Girls, Maisie, Hattie, Sofie and Roisin swam superbly to win their heat and finished 5th overall, Year 5 Boys, Sam B, Timi, Harry and Alex G also came home in 5th overall. The Year 6 girls, Chloe, Bella, Ellie and Maisie (Y5) came in 7th and Year 6 Boys, Alex M, Sam M, Charlie and Alex G (Yr5) finished in 6th overall.
The final event of the day was a 25m freestyle qualifying race to ascertain the fastest swimmers for the Midlands relay team, this was open to those who had not competed in the individual freestyle race. Ellie and Sam took part for Year 6, Roisin, Alex G and Harrys S for Year 5 and Matthew for the Year 4 with Ellie and Roisin being selected for the Midlands Relay team.
It was a fantastic day and all the pupils were a pleasure to be with, showing maturity, respect and commitment, actively encouraging, motivating and supporting each other throughout the day, with every pupil being the best version of themselves.
We were incredibly proud of the team whose superb efforts helped Crescent School finish in 3rd place overall, a super achievement for the school. Every swimmer was incredible, and we were extremely impressed by them all.
A special congratulations go to Roisin, Ellie and Maximillion who have all been selected to represent the ISA Midlands Team in the National Finals that will be held at the London Aquatics Centre on Saturday 3 December, with Sam M first reserve for the Year 6 boys team.
Mrs McCollin, Mrs Dowling and Mrs Calder