SWIMMING outstanding performances , winning a gold and bronze medal in 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke respectively . The girls ’ competition was very strong this year , with tight racing from the senior girls in the 100m butterfly with only 0.06 seconds separating Peony Lee ( third ) and Amelia Tovey ( fourth ). The team secured one silver , one bronze and plenty of top six places .
The Weald and Downland Cup was held at Tonbridge School and was a tough event ! Races were held over 100m , 50m and relays as 4x50m . The inter-girls did well to win the cup for their age group .
Swimming at Sevenoaks continues to improve every year with the addition of new competitions alongside our regular inter-school , county and national galas .
There is only a short time to begin training after the summer holidays , with our first competition in September : the Kent Schools ’ Relays , which are our regional qualifier for the English Secondary School ( ESSA ) team championship finals . We have always done well at this event and did so this year , securing one gold , seven silvers and one bronze across three age groups of boys and girls . The senior girls achieved an outstanding result , winning the medley relay . Overall , we qualified with five teams for the ESSA team championships , which were held at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham , home to the 2022 Commonwealth Games . This was an excellent experience , with all our swimmers improving on their entry rankings .
At our inter-school competitions there were some great performances from A , B and C team levels , and it was good to see swimmers choosing to compete , in a show of dedication and teamwork .
In the Kent Secondary Schools Individual Championships in Margate , the boys won two gold and two bronze medals . Tom Ellershaw gave
The Tonbridge School Invitational Cup is a gender-blind gala for any mixed schools who wish to swim their fastest student . The event has two age groups with ten schools competing . It was a strong competition , with some boys swimming up an age group . The boys performed well , securing third place behind Harrow , with Dulwich .
Our final event of the year was the Bath and Otter Cup , an exciting competition with teams from all four corners of the UK . The girls came 11th in the 4x50m freestyle and 10th in the 4x50m medley relay . The boys came 12th in the 4x100m freestyle relay and fifth in the medley relay .
Well done to all swimmers representing the school this year .
Sean Holden
It was wonderful to be a part of the swimming team for another year at Sevenoaks , and it was extra special for me as I was captain . I had a busy year with exams and university applications , so I am grateful for the adaptability the swimming team showed me . The highlight for me was the Bath and Otter Cup , a very competitive gala . I believe being a part of the swimming team brings about many merits – the most important being community and team spirit . Uniting with different year groups to represent our school in nationwide competitions is a special experience . I will remember the swimming team as one of the highlights of my years at Sevenoaks .
Lara Turan , Upper Sixth
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