Killerwhales took a small but successful squad to the Beckenham Open last weekend held at the National Sports Centre 50m pool at Crystal Palace.

Seventeen year old Kalei Andrews made a spectacular return to the venue for the second week in a row with 2 Gold’s and 2 silvers in 4 swims across the weekend. Her first win came with a powerful performance in the 200 fly which saw her not only take the Gold medal but achieve her first ever qualifying time for the National finals to be held later in the year in Sheffield. A fine win in the 400 medley was nearly turned into a hatrick of wins on day two of the Gala where Kalei missed out on her third Gold of the weekend by 0.01 of a second in the 100 fly. Her other silver medal came on the 200 medley.

Fifteen year old Lewis Clifford-Stephenson picked up a silver medal in the 100 metre breaststroke and repeated the feat in the 200 metre version with an excellent swim. Lewis also took 4th spot in the 200 medley and 400 medley races.

Eleven year old Connor Kearns put in a fantastic swim in the 200 breaststroke to take silver medal position to add to the 4th places he achieved in the 200 and 400 medley.

Second spot in the 100 fly was also Charlie Fox’s highest place finish of the weekend as he completed a busy schedule of events. Charlie also took home a bronze medal for a fine performance in the 100 back to add to his 4th place in the in the 200 back.

Katinka Merchan was also a silver medal winner in the 200 Backstroke and took a well earned bronze medal by finishing 3rd in the 16 years and over 100 backstroke. She also finished 5th in the 200 medley.

15 year old Tom Webb took 5th spot in the highly competitive 50 freestyle whilst Julia Braybrooke featured in the top six in both Open Age Group ‘fly races, with 4th spot being her best result in the 200 fly. Molly Sparks aged 12 swimming in the joint 12 and 13 years age group took a top six spot in the 400 medley and produced a fine swim in the 200 backstroke to finish in 9th spot.

In all, a highly competitive and successful weekends racing back at Crystal Palace. The squad move onto Hatfield next week.

Report of Beckenham Open 9th and 10th May 2009.