Swimming: Seniors blow the competition out of the water at ISA finals.

The King’s senior swim team blew their competition out of the water at the ISA National Finals, which were held at the London Aquatics Centre last week. 

Eight Senior School swimmers represented ISA North at the former Olympic venue and each one of them left the event with either a medal or a personal best.  

Will Pritchard (L6GLA) played a vital role on the North team in the Men’s Senior relay, receiving a bronze medal for his efforts in the pool. 

Harry Jones (3DUT) is the North’s Men’s Year 9-10 representative for the individual medley and placed fourth in the ISA finals, smashing his PB by 11 seconds. 

Adam Gloyne-Phillips (4DUT) took home a bronze medal for his superb performance in the men’s Year 10 individual medley relay; consistently delivering rapid pace and excellent technique for all of the races he participated in.

Agatha Simmons (SHGRO) and Alice Gooding (SHGLA) were a dream duo working with two other members of the North team to achieve bronze medals in the women’s Year 8 relay. 

George Pearce (SHGLA) is now the second fastest swimmer in the ISA for Year 8 men’s breaststroke, smashing his own PB to win the silver medal. 

Our youngest team members brought the house down – and the gold medals home – for the North Swim Team. 

Jake Thistlewood (RMOW) came first in the 50m men’s freestyle and pulled an absolute blinder swimming the last leg of the North relay team. Turning what looked like an inevitable but respectable second place placement into a nail-biting first place finish, the team staged a stunning comeback and a well deserved place on the top spot on the podium. 

We reported on Henry El Taha’s (RMMB) gold medal, record-breaking swim in the Junior report but, as a Removes pupil, he deserves a special mention here too. Participating in several events, Henry stayed calm and composed, his focus and hard work paying off as he also brought home a gold medal for his performance in the relay.

The team was accompanied to London by Miss Sherriff and Miss Higgins, who both run the Senior School swim club. They said: “It has been a day full of pride! Huge congratulations to all of our swimmers, we can’t wait to see what they do next!”