Lincolnshire’s 72nd County Championships

This February we held Lincolnshire’s 72nd County Championships. And what an incredible event it was - here are some of the amazing statistics .

• Over 6 days, Louth had 51 competitors swimming 468 races (not including finals or relays) an increase of 90 from 2023. 
• Over 200 PBs. 
• 114 medals - 52 gold,35 silver and 27 bronze. 
• An astounding 45 podium appearances an increase from 7 the previous year, giving us a staggering 11 Junior County Championship trophies and 3 Open County Championship trophies. 
• Not forgetting our relay teams. Out of the six relay races that took place across the Championships Louth medalled in six of them, collecting two golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. 
• Louth finished an amazing 3rd in the medal table, the first time we have finished in the top three. It is safe to say we have just had our most successful County Championships. 

A massive congratulations goes to all our county swimmers and coaches from all squads who gave them a little help along the way. A big well done to all the swimmers attending counties for the first time, hopefully it has whetted your appetite for more.

A special mention to some of the outstanding performances - Elysia, Sophie and Skye were all County Champions with Evie, Erin and Kate all collecting gold medals. Henry Mason Smith had 14 swims, 14 pbs 14 medals made up of 9 Golds ( including 2 relay Golds) 4 Silver and 1 Bronze and 4 podium finishes. Liv Anstey who had 18 swims 19 medals made of 12 Golds, 6 Silvers (1 relay) and 1 Bronze (relay), 8 podium finishes and a 3 time Open County Champion. And last but not least Maisie Matthews who had 18 swims, 17 PBs , 20 medals, 16 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze ( 2 relay), 16 Podium finishes and a 6 time junior county champion. 

Director of Swimming, Ian Roscoe, gave a special mention at our presentation evening, "I know one man who will be looking very proudly down on us. Thank you and credit to James for laying the foundations to our success. With the standard of swimmers and coaching we have throughout the club, I feel next year’s County Championships will be even more exciting." 

Ian also gave thanks to the organisers, AOE team, coaches, team managers and all other helpers. A big thank you also to all those who officiated. Over 9 sessions, more than 50 officials were used covering a staggering 230 positions. But we need more of you to come forward and offer your help. At one of the early sessions in Grantham, Louth provided five officials, non of which had children at the meet. 

I made a similar plea at last year’s presentation evening, so thank you to those who have come forward and volunteered to become officials. Please do come and see me, Jane Burke or speak to one of our existing officials if you would like to get involved.  

Your support is greatly needed as without the required number of officials Counties and other galas cannot take place or the meets can get downgraded which means your swimmers may not gain qualification times for regionals or nationals despite having swum the qualification time.