Hempsted Primary School were winners of our first ever Gloucestershire Primary Swimming Panathlon in Gloucester.
Following the success of multi-sport primary Panathlon events across the county, teachers and pupils were keen to take the plunge and compete in the water. Five teams entered, totalling 38 students, all competing for the title of county swimming champions.
Following 10 races and team challenges, Hempsted secured victory thanks to their pupils’ strength in the individual swim races.
Hempsted teacher Julie said: “This has been a brilliant experience for the children. We have really enjoyed competing in the Primary Panathlon over the past two years and now that there is another opportunity for them to compete it’s all extremely exciting.”
Dinglewell School finished in second place overall, excelling in the team challenges with a particularly strong performance in the Slam Dunk swim.
The standout individual performer on the day was McKenzie O’Reilly of Abbeymead school (pictured left
).
Following surgery, McKenzie had one-to-one lessons with one of the swimming instructors at the local pool. He trains weekly, swimming a mile at a time.
This has been great physio for him and has greatly boosted his confidence and now Panathlon has given him the opportunity to compete for the first time ever.
McKenzie reflected: “I’ve had a brilliant time, not only swimming but also cheering on my team-mates.”
Final results from the inaugural Panathlon Gloucestershire County Primary Swimming Final:
1st Hempsted
2nd Dinglewell
3rd Churchdown
4th Field Court
5th Abbeymead
