Charlotte at the IAPS National Finals

Over half term Charlotte competed in the IAPS National Finals, held at the London Aquatics Centre. This was Charlotte’s second swim at this prestigious facility, having been part of our U11 Girls Swim team last year. Charlotte qualified for the finals following her attendance at one of the many qualifiers around the country. She competed in the U12 Girls 50m breaststroke event and was delighted to achieve her place, having qualified within the top 10 nationally (with the top 20 swimmers nationally going through). 

We set Charlotte two goals for the event - the first to achieve a personal best and the second to secure a place in the final from her heat. In heat 1 four swimmers achieved a faster time than her current personal best so we knew she was in with a chance. Heat 2 was more competitive and Charlotte finished 6th in her heat. She recently achieved a new personal best in this event so was delighted to improve this once again when it really mattered! Her time ranked her in 10th place meaning she met both her goals by achieving that place in the final. This was always going to be a tough race but Charlotte knew she had nothing to lose. To swim in a final was a big deal and she should be incredibly proud of this. A huge well done to Charlotte for a great performance at a national event! 

Thanks to Charlotte for her recount of the day:

"On Saturday the 3rd of June, I went to London Aquatics Centre to swim 50m breaststroke in the National IAPS finals having qualified at Repton in March. I got the train there on Friday afternoon and stayed in a hotel overnight.

I then met Mrs Felton and Mrs Cardovillis at the Aquatics Centre.  I did my warm up in the lane I was racing in and then went back up to where I was sitting and had a drink and a snack. There were 20 people in my event and the top 10 went to the final. I was in heat 2, lane 2. My time was 43.73, which was a PB. I came 10th overall which just put me in the final. I had about 30 minutes of waiting where I got a drink and a snack and then it was time for my final. I came 10th overall in the final. It was a good experience. Thank you to Mrs Felton and Mrs Cardovillis for taking time out of their half-term to bring me."