Swimmer of Meet

 
Midland Youth Championships
7th May, 2007
 

Ben started the three day competition swimming below his best form.  In the 200m Freestyle, which was supposed to be his 'warm up' before his major event the 100m Backstroke, he was five seconds off his best time.  Again, Ben was off his best in the heats but still managed to qualify for the evening final.

Ben went into the final as 4th fastest 15 year old and seeded seventh in the double 15/16 year age group.

Although Ben swam 1.7 seconds faster in the final managing a fourth place and was second fastest 15 year old, it was still disappointing  knowing he could have won the event if swimming near his best.

On day two - after being persuaded to swim the 400m Individual Medley - Ben produced his best time in the event and unexpectedly made the final. Ben also swam his fastest 50m Freestyle closely missing out on a final place.

Ben went into the final of the 400m Individual Medley as the 7th fastest and produced another best time to finish in 6th place - which was 2nd in the 15 year age group.

Day three saw Ben's form fall again with the 400m Freestyle.  His 50m splits being slower than the last 100m of his I.M.  This poor form continued  into the 100m Freestyle and although still below his best, managed to make the final of the 200m Backstroke.

For the last swim of the weekend Ben needed to regain the form he had on Sunday in order to achieve a National time for the 200m Backstroke event.  Unfortunately this was not to be with Ben only improving by half a second and finishing in sixth place which put him third in the 15 years age group.

I discussed with Ben what had gone wrong with his Backstroke and hopefully he will return to form at Enfield when he has his last chance to qualify for the National Championships at Sheffield at the end of July.

Ian