KELLY College swimnners took part in the qualifying relays for the English Schools Swimming Association National Relay Championships held at Millfield School. The event this year was attended by more schools than have ever entered before.

Kelly College sent teams to compete in the junior girls (two teams), junior Boys (years 7,8 and 9), inter girls (years 10 and 11) and senior boys, senior girls (years 12 and 13).

The junior boys freestyle team put up a splendid show to be third fastest school from 38 schools. They then matched this performance in the medley relay. The team consisted of Robbie Nielsen, Dan Gillard, Harry Wardle, Ben Staig and Jack Pearson. Robbie set a new 50m freestyle Kelly age group record for 12 year-old boys in the lead off leg of the freestyle relay (28.24).

The junior girls teams placed first and fourth in the freestyle relay and then second in the medley relay, with one team recording the fastest time by nearly six seconds, but unfortunately being disqualified for a faulty take-over. Team members were Georgia Jones, Cara Layden, Leah Picillo, Chloe Barrow, Millie Murdoch, Victoria Moore, Beth Watmore, Brittaney O'Reilly and Christy Gold.

The inter girls team of Erin Walsh, Victoria Callow, Molly Redford and Sophie Hastings placed second in the medley relay and third in the freestyle relay, really cementing their chances of qualifying for the National Championships.

Senior boys, consisting of Charlie Bayliss, Matthew Courtis, George Humphrey, Joe Voller and Felix Davies recorded third place in both relays, keeping their hopes alive for qualification.

The senior girls team of Emma Bysouth, Chelsey Taylor, Ellen Keane and Kathy Larcombe swam well to place fifth in the medley relay and sixth in the freestyle relay.

Kelly College now have to wait to see if they have posted fast enough times to qualify for the ESSA National Relay Championships to be held in Southampton on November 26.