Newsfile 2000-2001
7th-10th August: Becky Cooke breaks the Commonwealth short-course 1500 record in Perth, then flies home and does the same over 800 metres at the short-course nationals in Norwich. Link to Australian Swimming here
3rd August 1901, from the Reading Mercury:
READING SWIMMING CLUB Annual Competitions
Despite the frequent heavy downpours of rain on Saturday, a large number of
people were present at the costume entertainment arranged by the Reading
Swimming Club and Lifesaving Society held in the Reading Corporation Bathing
Place in the King's Meadows. At the conclusion of the racing a water polo match
- Reading v. Visitors - took place, and caused much amusement; it resulted in
favour of Reading by six goals to nil. During an interval Professor Juffs, of
London, gave a
display of fancy swimming, his singing under water being loudly applauded.
3rd August: Chris Robinson completes a massive week's swimming by winning the overall BAGCATS award for 12s boys at age-group nationals, winning the 200 back by more than nine seconds and with eight long-course PBs in eight swims. Matt Sandell 6th in 16s 50 back, Holly Tanner 7th 12s 200 fly and 10th 800 free (six LC PBs in six swims), Amy Wicks 9th 13s 200 fly, Becky Smith three LC bests in three swims. Several other PBs, including Louis Mech who wins his 200 back heat from an outside lane the day after flying in from Atlanta and Ryan Woodward who waits all week for his 50 fly. Full report here.
28th July: Becky does us proud, fifth in 16.20.15, breaking her own British record of 16.21.75. Full report here.
27th July: Becky Cooke qualifies sixth-fastest for world 1500 final.
25th July: Full club sprints results now loaded here and report here
23rd July: Becky sixth in 800 final in a faster time than her heat. Link to championships page here. Her 1500 heat is on the 27th and we hope to see her in the final on Saturday via Eurosport's excellent coverage.
22nd July: Becky Cooke fifth fastest qualifier for the 800 free final at the world champs in Fukuoka, Japan.
21st July: Very enjoyable club sprints at Central Pool, with many youngsters making their competitive debuts and final swims as full-time Reading residents for university-bound old-timers Alex Perrin and James Flett. Top moment of all, though, was on poolside as presentations were made to coaches Harry Wild and Gordon Pither for their unsurpassable contribution to the junior squads over many, many years.
5th-8th July: Tony Woodward coaches his first national champion as Reading's two girls at the Welsh age group nationals, swum age on the day, both return as multiple medallists from the second-to-none atmosphere of Swansea's Penlan pool. Chrissi Manicom 3rd in the 14s 400 IM, 5th in 100 breast, 7th in 200 breast. Holly Tanner wins 11/U 400 free, 2nd 200 free and 100 fly, 3rd 200 back, 5th 200 IM and 100 back, 7th 100 free, 3rd 13/U 200 fly and 4th 13/U 800 free. Full report here
8th July: Reports on the 23rd June Newbury meet and 30th June-1st July Southern Counties now available here and here.
3rd July: RSC swimmers star at Reading junior schools finals. "Top school" trophies in various categories collected by Craig Frankum and Becky Alderson (top overall), Louisa Downs (top small school), Holly Tanner and Sarah Creek (top girls' team) and Jamie Day (top boys and relay teams). Fine individual and relay wins and/or places by all the above. Amy Kunicki and Holly both win two individual swims, one record for the former and two for the latter. Best race of the day sees Chii-Jin Hiu pip Becky Alderson in their year's breaststroke, with both on the same time. With the club officiating and providing several timekeepers and senior swimmers including Olympian Becky Cooke in attendance, a great advert for the club in every respect.
30th June-1st July: Southern Counties end. Chris Robinson top 12s boy under BAGCATS; Amy Wicks fourth 13s 200 fly; Robert Knott 5th 14s 200 back; Russel Korting fifth 12s 200 back; Becky Smith eighth 13s 200 IM.
25th June: Reading SC old boy Ian Edmond, with the club throughout his teens, breaks David Wilkie's 1976 Scottish record with the year's fifth fastest 200 breaststroke worldwide, winning a place in the GB team for Japan along with current RSC member Becky Cooke. Link to World Championships site here. Draft schedule shows women's 800 on Sunday 22 and Monday 23 July, 1500 on Saturday 28; men's 200 breast Wednesday and Thursday. Link to report on RSC swimmers at Glasgow, plus a few at Southern Counties, here.
21st June: Cranleigh report now uploaded here. Reading swimmers again prominent in latest national short and long-course rankings - see ASA site via our links page. A further link into world rankings shows Rebecca Cooke is currently second over 1500 metres long course.
18th June: Links page updated to add a US school page, the Admiral Farragut Academy, with a huge range of swimming links. See frame on left.
17th June: Very successful Cranleigh distance designated meet. Additional NQTs for Martin Booth (2), Matt Sandell, Holly Tanner, several repeat NQTs, event wins for Holly (3), Robert Knott (2) Craig Woodward (2), James Golding, a number of other top-three placings, several excellent PBs.
15th June: At long last, webmaster gets round to loading RSC times from the 5th May B-grade. See results here.
9th June: Annual Berks and South Bucks "no frills" NQT meet at Maidenhead. Only one of these, Holly Tanner 50 back, but several very close and a great 400 IM PB by Charlotte Zadrozny. Details here
1st-3rd June: A three-meet weekend. Becky Cooke and Holly Fox winners at the Manchester GP, with Bryony Fox under 9 mins for 800 free. Craig Woodward and Chris Robinson winners at the Guildford Open, as are Charlotte Haas, Ruby Paxton, Taryn Brunette, Becky Alderson, Louisa Downs and Amy Kunicki at the Coventry B-grade. Reports for Manchester and Coventry here and Guildford here
25-28 May: The City of Birmingham Open. Friday night's distance events see Craig Woodward win the 1500 in 16.14.97, with Joseph Korting 7th, and Russel Korting 2nd in the 12s boys 800 in a 10.08 (28 seconds inside the equivalent girls' NQT, but unfortunately this is not yet a national event for boys). Later in the meet, Becky Smith gets her NQTs in 200 free and IM and Alex Perrin rounds things off with gold in the 200 breast. Full report here Results via link to City of Birmingham SC here.
19-20 May: Southern Counties again at Crystal Palace. Chris Robinson wins the 12s 400 free by 10 seconds in 4.40.65, Craig Woodward 3rd in open and 16s 400 free, Holly Tanner 3rd 12s 800 free, Becky Smith 5th and Amy Wicks 7th 13s 400 IM. Report here, full results via link to Hampshire County ASA site here. Top 10 clubs to date: East Essex 672.5, Portsmouth 598, T5Lond West 524.5, Leatherhead 419, Hants North 249.5, Elmbridge 232, Killerwhales [Havering] 231.5, Wycombe Dist 184, Barnet Copt 164.5, Reading 155
12-13 May: Becky Cooke and .Holly Fox join in the Northeast Counties championships in Sheffield. Full results in ASA site via our links page
12-13 May: Gruelling and successful weekend at the Beckenham long-course open at Crystal Palace. Congratulations to three swimmers joining the biggest Reading squad for some years going to age-group nationals - Emma Zadrozny (400 IM and 200 fly), Becky Smith (400 IM) and Ryan Woodward (50 fly). Full report here.
10 May: Congratulations to Rebecca Alderson from Peter Hood's squad, Swimmer of the Month.
5-7 May. First round of Southern Counties. Reading highlights include wins in the junior 50 back for Matt Sandell and for Martin Booth in the 15s 200 free. Martin also sixth in the 100, NQTs in both. Full results via link to the Hampshire County ASA site here
5 May B-grade gala at Central Pool. Full report here. For details of RSC swimmers in national rankings, see ASA site via our links page, or written-up version here.
28 April: RSC win the B final of the Thames Valley Junior League at Maidenhead, edging out Chalfont Otters by a single point. Details.
28 April: Belated recognition for Martin Booth as a national age-group qualifier - afraid I missed the point that his 200 back time at the Counties was an NQT in the 15s group. Reading's contingent now consists of (in alphabetical order) Martin, Bryony Fox, Daniel John, Robert Knott, Russel Korting, Louis Mech, Chris Robinson, Matt Sandell, Holly Tanner, Amy Wicks and Craig Woodward. Several of these are qualified in several events and/or are close to other NQTs; a number of other RSC swimmers are very close to one or more times.
21 April: End of the Berks and South Bucks Counties for 2001 with relays at Wycombe. Boys 15/16 1st in free and medley; Boys 13/14 3rd in free; Boys 11/12 free 2nd, medley 3rd; Men's Open free 1st in both 4 x 50 and 4 x 100; Girls 13/14 "A" 3rd in both free and medley. Several fourth places. Daniel John and Chris Robinson inaugural Counties BAGCATS winners in 14 and 12 years groups. Details
13-15 April: We host a very successful Easter Open. Details Reading medallists are: Gold: Chris Robinson 8, Amy Wicks 3, Craig Woodward 2, Joseph Korting, Matt Sandell, Ryan Woodward, Holly Tanner. Silver: Matt Sandell 2, Daniel John, Robert Knott, Joseph Korting, Sarah Lewis, Chrissi Manicom, Chris Robinson, Rebecca Robinson, Holly Tanner. Bronze: Alex Perrin 5, Amy Wicks 4, Ryan Woodward 2, Daniel John, Russel Korting, Chrissi Manicom, Matt Sandell, Holly Tanner, Craig Woodward. And Louis Mech an NQT for a fourth place. Meet records for Chris (numerous), Craig, Amy and Holly; numerous other NQTs Matt Sandell the first RSC swimmer since Ian Edmond several years ago to win a male grand final. City of Cardiff are top club overall, RSC second and City of Bristol third. Full results
10-15 April: World Championship trials in Manchester. Becky Cooke wins the 1500, 800 and 400 free, breaking the British record in the 1500 and qualifying for the team in both 1500 and 800. Holly Fox wins the 400 IM. Bryony Fox (13) is sixth in the 800 final.
7 April: Last individual swims of the counties, plus junior relays. Medals as follows: Junior boys relays won both (free Craig Woodward, Matt Sandell, Robert Knott, Martin Booth, medley Craig, Matt, James Golding and Martin.) 200 fly Jenny Clayton champion, Amy Wicks 1st 13s, junior champion and third overall, Nicola Rogers 2nd 16s, Holly Tanner 2nd 12s, Charlotte Zadrozny 3rd 14a; Emma Zadrozny 3rd 13s, Rebecca Alderson 3rd 11s. 50 fly Amy Wicks 2nd 13s, Rebecca Alderson 3rd 11s. 100 breast: Alex Perrin champion, Matt Sandell 1st 16s, Jonathan Chevassut 2nd 15s, Martin Booth 3rd; David Murphy 2nd, Andrew Flett 3rd 14s; Ryan Woodward 2nd 13s. 200 back: Matt Sandell 2nd 16s and in junior championship, 3rd overall; Martin Booth 1st 15s and 3rd junior championship, Joseph Korting 2nd 15s; Robert Knott 2nd 14s; Chris Robinson 1st 12s (meet record), Russel Korting 2nd (NQT). Details
31 March: Distance events at the Counties. Disappointing total entries, but Reading pick up both 1500 championships through Craig Woodward and Emma Zadrozny, both also junior champions. Age group wins for Martin Booth and Robert Knott in the 1500 and a silver for Joe Korting; age group wins in the 800 for Becky Smith and Chris Robinson (second in junior championship), silver for Becky Robinson, bronze for Holly Tanner. Details
25 March: Reading swimmers back from Glasgow Grand Prix details and age-on-the-day age-group meet details.
24 March: The Counties continue. Alex Perrin champion 200 breast, 3rd 400 IM. Martin Booth 3rd 15s 200 breast, winner 15s IM and runner-up in junior championship; Joseph Korting 2nd 15s IM; Chris Robinson winner 12s 50 free (national qualifying time)), Bruno Bamberger 3rd 13s; Carole Eyles 3rd 100 breast championship, Becky Robinson 3rd 15s; Holly Tanner 2nd 12s 200 back (NQT). Details
20 March: Reading swimmers in national age-group rankings for Jan-Feb
12s Chris Robinson 7th 200 free, 5th
400 free, 7th 50 fly, 7th 200 fly, 7th 50 back, 4th 200 back.
14s Daniel John 12th 50 fly, 16th 100 fly, 4th 200 fly;
Robert Knott 18th 200 free, 17th 100 free;
16s Craig Woodward 11th 200 free; 12th 400 free; 16th 200 fly;
:
12s Holly Tanner 5th 200 fly
13s Amy Wicks 11th 50 fly; 11th 100 fly; 6th 200 fly
Becky Smith 19th 50 free, 6th 50 back
Open age group:
Becky Cooke 7th 200 free, 1st 400 free, 1st 800
Holly Fox 6th 200 free, 4th 800, 1st 200 fly, 3rd 200 IM, 1st 400 IM
Jenny Clayton 6th 200 fly
17 March: Counties again again. 100 back - Matt Sandell junior champion, meet junior record, NQT, second overall; Martin Booth winner 15s, 3rd in junior championship. Joseph Korting 2nd 15s; Robert Knott 3rd 14s. 200 fly - Martin Booth winner 15s and 2nd junior championship, Joseph Korting 2nd; Daniel John winner 14s, meet record, 3rd in junior championship and 3rd overall; Chris Robinson winner and meet record in 12s. Becky Robinson 3rd 200 breaststroke 15s; Chrissi Manicom 2nd, Taryn Brunette 3rd 14s; Becky Smith 3rd 50 free 13s. Details
10 March: Counties again, and more medals and NQTs. Craig Woodward NQT, junior champion, new junior and 16s record, 3rd overall in 400 free; Matt Sandell silver 16s; Martin Booth gold 15s, Joe Korting silver; Robert Knott gold 14s (NQT), Daniel John bronze; Chris Robinson gold 12s (NQT and record); Matt Sandell silver 16s 50 breast, Martin Booth silver 15s; Matt Sandell silver 16s 100 free, Craig Woodward bronze; Martin Booth gold 15s; Robert Knott bronze 14s; Jenny Clayton champion 400 IM; Becky Smith silver 13s, Emma Zadrozny bronze; Becky Smith silver 13s 100 back, bronze 50 breast; Details
3 March: Second stage of the Counties. Wins for Chris Robinson (50 back and a national time and age-group best time in the 200 IM); Matt Sandell in 16s back, 2nd in the IM championship and runner-up in the junior championship ( nationals in both events); Alex Perrin third in IM championship; Martin Booth winner 15s back and IM, Joseph Korting second in both; Robert Knott 2nd and Daniel John 3rd in the 14s IM; Becky Smith 2nd 13s 100 free; Louis Mech 4th 12s 50 back; Russel Korting 4th 12s 200 IM. Details
24 February: First leg of the Berks and South Bucks ASA Counties at Maidenhead. Details
22 February: Chris Robinson and Holly Tanner are joint swimmers of the month.
17-19 February: A large group makes the short journey to Wycombe for the long-course open and age group. Details
19 February: Head coach Stephen Hill, assistant Louise Clayton, Becky Cooke and Holly and Bryony Fox fly to Florida for a three-week GB distance training camp. Stephen is British women's specialist distance coach.
16-18 February: Five leading swimmers attend the Leeds Grand Prix and age-group meet. Details
10 February: Round Two of the Thames Valley Junior League, again at Central Pool, pits RSC against the same group of clubs encountered in Round One - Amersham A, Chesham, Chalfont and Slough. Details
27-28 January: A great weekend at the Maxwell Open, this year in Milton Keynes. Details Reading lift both top club trophies at the second leg of the annual Bracknell B/C gala. Details