National Finals - here we come!

St Hugh's returned to Louth once again to compete in the ESSA Primary Relay Qualifiers on Friday evening.  The team was made up of four Year 6 pupils including Charlie H, Esme M, George P and Joseph S.  There were initial heats for both the 4x25m freestyle and 4x25m medley relays, with St Hugh's competing against eight other small school teams.  Schools included S. Anselm's, Brooke Priory, Grantham Prep, St James, St Martin's Prep and Greenwich House.  Following a good warm up and having had the opportunity to practise their starts off the blocks, the team were eager to get started and St Hugh's were first up in the 4x25m freestyle relay. We had a good swim and managed to secure a place in the final which took place later in the evening.  The final was a close race and we definitely raised our game for the final.  We finished in a time of 1.22.39, behind a very strong S. Anselm's side and Greenwich House.  Our performance secured us a place at the National Finals in Sheffield!  We were of course delighted about this but the team stayed focused as we still had the 4x25m medley heat to contend with.  St Hugh's were now more relaxed and determined to perform as well in this event.  We were strong in the heat and qualified comfortably for the final.  Again, we knew S. Anselm's were the biggest threat but we were a little uncertain about the other teams.  It was an exciting final and extremely close, particularly in the last 2-3m of the final leg!  On finishing the race we had to check the electronic scoreboards, which confirmed our place in the National Finals once again, finishing a very close 3rd to Grantham Prep.  Huge congratulations to Charlie, Esme, George and Jo.  A very enjoyable way to spend a Friday evening and they did themselves proud!