Report on the IAPS Swimming Gala, 27 February 2015, Dragon School, Oxford
6th March 2015
This competition as we found last year was a truly tough one, much harder than the ISA competition, and with more schools entering this event this year there were several tough heats in each category.
We arrived at the Dragon school, Oxford at 12 noon and were able to sit outside in glorious sunshine for a while before being allowed into the changing rooms. The warm up started at 1.10pm with 7 mins each for boys and girls in 4 age groups. The gala began just after 2pm with the medley relays. All the children were both excited and nervous but set out with determination and concentration. Squad training has certainly helped to overcome the worry of false takeovers and all teams tried their very best, however we did not manage to place highly in these events.
Isabella was the first to compete in individual events swimming the 25m U10 backstroke; she swam very well coming 3rd in her heat. This gave the team a little more confidence and later Hannah M came home in 4th place in the freestyle. Jessica C took part in the Year 6 50m freestyle and finished in 2nd place in her heat after a really good swim. Sophie A also did really well to come 2nd in her heat in the 50m backstroke. Chantel swam the 50m breaststroke, undoubtedly her best stroke and romped home in 1st in her heat and we think 1st overall at this venue.
The last races were the freestyle relays, which are always very popular and exciting. Gateway girls and boys performed well but the girls were a little more successful than the boys with the year 5 girls coming 2nd in their heat and the year 6 girls 3rd in theirs.
Both the boys and the girls gave their very best in spite of the tough competition and I am sure had a great afternoon. We now look forward to receiving the times so that we can see how many achieved their personal best. These timed results will not be sent out until Easter as other regional rounds are still taking place.
I am sorry that parents were not allowed this year but the spectator gallery was crowded with school children taking part. My thanks to Mr Creasy for all his help and our thanks once again to Mrs Ottonello and Mrs Chandler who acted as timekeeper and Marshall on behalf of Gateway.
The Gateway Squad
Year 6 Jack W, Zach R, Alex C and James M and Will N
Chantel O, Jessica C, Sophie A, India K, Helen N and Amy H.
Year 5 Ethan H, Cai L, Jack W and Harry H.
Hannah M, Jessica C, Isabella J, Esme Y and Evie F.
Thank you and a very well done to you all!