A New London Champion
Posted: October 2008
On Sunday 12th October the London Region Disability Championships took place at Downham in Bexley and it was the first time our very own Jessica Harper had competed at such a level.
After the warm-up she was getting a wee bit nervous but after a good briefing on how we were going to approach her first event, the 50m backstroke, Jessica appeared in control.
Once in the water, Jessica was at ease and at the 25m split it was evident that this was going to be a big personal best (PB). Using a fearsome kick, Jessica knocked a massive 7 seconds off her PB achieving a new time of 50.81!
At these Championships all ages and all categories of swimmers swim against each other and their times are calculated at the end using conversion factors relevant to age and disability categories - BDPoints. We eagerly awaited the outcome; then over the PA it came: "Gold to Jessica Harper". Jessica was overjoyed, her coach punched the air and her mum was seen going wild up in the gallery!
Jessica had about 30 minutes to gather herself for the 100m Free and then another 30 minutes before doing back-to-back swims in the 50m Free and 100m Backstroke.
She stepped up to each one with growing confidence and was rewarded with three more personal bests and 3 more golds. Jessica received her medals from the President of the ASA in the presence of one of our Beijing Paralympians.
A surprise announcement concluded the event: "would the following swimmers please step forward to collect their age group awards" and yes it was Jessica as overall age group Champion!
Jessica's times: 50 Back 50.81; 50 Free 39.95; 100 Free 1:28.63; 100m Back 1:55.25