St Albans swimmers show promising form in first Arena National League meet

City of St Albans Swimming Club (CoStA) put in an admirable performance in the first round of the Arena National Swimming League on Saturday.

Competing against some of London and the East region’s premier clubs, like Ipswich Town, Ealing and Chelsea and Westminster, they finished in seventh place in the gala held at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village.

There were a number of noteworthy performances on a night when the club saw personal bests recorded in a number of events.

The girls 9/11 freestyle relay team of Eilidh Dunwoodie, Lucy Coia-Bell, Ellie Holliss and Isabell Godfrey; the girls 9/11 medley relay team of Sarah McGrath, Godfrey, Dunwoodie and Coia-Bell; and Dunwoodie in the girls 10/11 backstroke, all of whom beat off stiff competition in their respective events to scoop first place.

Shannon Stott missed the top spot by a fraction in the girls U15 butterfly to claim second while Lauren Stott was third in the girls U13 butterfly.

William Loveman also swam to third in the boys U15 breaststroke.

CoStA head coach, Mike Cole, said: “It was great to see some fantastic swimming so early in the season at what is a very difficult meet.

“We held our own against some of the biggest and best clubs in the region and I’d like to congratulate all the team who took part for their sterling effort.”

The Arena National Swimming League sees over 400 teams competing in seven leagues around the country.

The next round for the London region takes place on November 14.