Essex County Championships 2026 - Weekend 3
Harwich Swimmers Finish Essex Championships with Record Points Total
Harwich Swimming Club rounded off the final weekend of the Essex County Championships with another series of strong performances, including finals appearances, podium finishes, regional qualifying times and numerous top-10 placings.
Across the three weekends of racing, Harwich swimmers accumulated 233.5 points to finish 14th overall in the county standings. This marks a huge improvement on last year’s 109 points and 22nd place, with several significantly larger clubs finishing below Harwich — a clear sign of the club’s continued progress.
In total, Harwich swimmers secured 5 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 3 bronze medals, along with an impressive 36 top-10 finishes across the championships. The club was also represented by 32 individual swimmers, with a further 13 swimmers competing in relay teams, the largest number of athletes Harwich has ever had competing at the county championships.
One of the most impressive performances of the weekend came from Charlie Roxby-Clarke, who is still only nine years old and has yet to turn ten. Competing in his first Essex County Championships, Charlie stepped up brilliantly in the 10/11 year age group, qualifying for the 100m Butterfly final and finishing 7th overall against older swimmers. It was a fantastic performance and he handled the occasion superbly.
Harwich swimmers also enjoyed great success in the backstroke events. Hugo Arthey became Essex County Champion in the 200m Backstroke, producing a long course personal best and gaining a regional qualifying time. Hugo also placed 5th in the 100m Backstroke final, 5th in the 50m Butterfly final, and 7th in the 200m Freestyle.
Harry Baucutt was phenomenal across all three weekends of the championships, getting stronger with every swim. Harry produced a series of huge personal bests and regional qualifying times, including silver medals in both the 200m Backstroke and the 100m Backstroke final. He also recorded another strong top-10 finish in the 200m Freestyle, placing 9th, continuing an excellent run of performances throughout the competition.
Harwich’s breaststroke swimmers were also in excellent form. Emily Turner secured silver in the 100m Breaststroke final with a long course personal best and regional qualifying time. Emily also placed 6th in the 50m Freestyle final and 9th in the 100m Butterfly final.
In the same 100m Breaststroke event, Harwich demonstrated excellent depth with Ruby Barratt finishing 7th, Evelyn Gadsby 8th, and Savannah Barratt 9th in the final. Ruby, Evelyn and Savannah all achieved long course personal bests, with all three swimmers also gaining regional qualifying times.
Head Coach Katie Holmes also competed during the championships, finishing 6th in the 100m Breaststroke final and recording a top-10 finish in the 200m Freestyle, with both swims being long course personal bests.
Elsewhere, Menna Beegan produced an excellent performance in the demanding 400m Individual Medley, finishing 4th with a long course personal best, while Taylor King secured a top-10 finish in the 200m Butterfly, placing 10th.
Harwich swimmers also featured in the relay events, with the Girls 15/Over Medley Relay team of Menna Beegan, Emily Turner, Eleanor Newman and Katie Holmes finishing 10th overall.
Reflecting on the championships, Holmes said:
“I’m incredibly proud of how everyone performed across the three weekends. To more than double our points total from last year and finish 14th overall is a fantastic achievement for the club. We had swimmers gaining regional qualifying times, making finals and producing huge personal bests, which shows just how much progress the whole squad is making.”