European Triumph for Swimming Stars
Tees Active Sports Academy aces and Borough of Stockton Swimming stars, Jessica Dickons and Jemma Lowe have continued to extend Teesside’s sporting reputation in Europe by excelling at the European Junior Championships in Palma de Mallorca.
Jessica and Jemma totally dominated the 200m butterfly event by taking gold and silver respectively. Jessica 15, and Jemma 16 who train at Splash, Billingham Forum and Thornaby pool, left their rivals in their wake with Jessica winning in a time of 2:10.07 and Jemma taking the silver in a time of 2:11.59.
Side by side for the first part of the race Dickons slowly edged ahead to finish in the top spot.
"I wanted to win that because I came third last year," said Dickons.
"My aim has been to win at the European juniors and this is my best event. The first 100 felt relaxed and then I picked it up on the third 50 and then tried to max it out and keep going as fast as I could. I’m very happy. It’s the first time I’ve had the National anthem played for me, I feel great."
A very happy Lowe commented "I was really nervous but I have been more nervous in the past. The music was really good and it was great to walk out with Jess."
"It seemed like we were held on the blocks for ages and you just want to get going in a race like this, but once I dived in it was fine. I tried not to kill myself so I could give it all I had on the last length.
"I’m really please with my medal. It felt great going up on the podium together. I thought I might cry at one point. I’ve missed my school prom tonight which I was disappointed about when I found out but it was definitely worth missing it."
After just a 50m swim down followed by her 200m butterfly presentation, Dickons was straight back on the blocks for the 400m individual medley and won her second medal of the night, this time a silver in 4:51.58 behind Belmonte of Spain who touched in 4:46.24. Bronze went to Hungary’s Dara in 4:53.92.
"The first 50 fly felt relaxed but I started to feel it on the second. On backstroke I just concentrated on keeping my stroke rate up, same on the breaststroke, picking up on the second 50 and then on the front crawl gave it all I had. Although I beat her (Belmonte) in the heat I did all I could"
Coach Graeme Antwhistle who is with the British team in Mallorca said, “Both Jessica and Jemma swam superbly and it was unfortunate that Jess only had 5 minutes recovery time between races. Both girls are full of confidence and looking forward to the 100m butterfly.
Graeme was not disappointed with Jemma picking up a silver medal in the 100m butterfly, narrowly being beaten by Hungarian Eszter Dara. Jessica was unlucky to be just outside the medals in 4th place, missing out by 0.10 seconds.
This triumph is part of a tremendous 2006 for both girls with Jessica being crowned British champion and being selected for the British senior squad and Jemma having a successful championship at the Commonwealth Games in March.
Photographs supplied by SWpix
For more information on the Tees Active Sports Academy please visit new.teesactivelimited.co.uk.