Alex Burgess

Alex Burgess Storms on.........

Posted: Tuesday 19th May 2009

swimming two national qualifying times

at the London Region timetrials at Crystal Palace

Alex, who is 14 and travels from Enfield to train with the clubs Top squad, was rewarded for his commitment and consistent hard work in the pool.

Alex gained his qualifying time in 1500m freestyle, the toughest of all pool events, in a time of 17.32.11, just creeping inside the qualifying standard of 17.33.25.

The achievement was not without drama. As the race came towards the end, the judge failed to blow her whistle to indicate the last 100m. To Alex’s credit he had held his concentration and finished correctly 'to his hand'.

Alex’s coach, Dave Hobbs, was fuming and went on to say ‘If Alex hadn’t realised he was on his final 100m, he may have tumbled. A silly mistake by the official , and Alex not finishing to his hand may have cost him the NQT as he was only one second inside the time standard’.

Alex had made it a double celebration by swimming a 9.13 800m split on the way to the 1500m which is inside the national qualifying standard of 9.15.25

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