Reese Huckle Shines on the Big Stage!
The wait is over—the Kent Counties Round-Up is finally here, and we have some incredible news to share!
Reese Huckle made a fantastic start in the 800m freestyle, entering the race ranked 6th. She swam an outstanding race, clocking a remarkable 4-second personal best! As her competitors completed their heats one by one, Reese anxiously awaited the results… and then came the moment of realisation
SHE WON GOLD!
An unbelievable achievement that left her over the moon!
But the excitement didn’t stop there! Over two full weekends of racing, Reese delivered her best performance yet, placing in six events—her highest tally to date! Here’s a quick recap of her impressive results:
Race Highlights
- 50 Free – PB
- 100 Free – PB
- 200 Free – 3rd & PB
- 400 Free – Finalist
- 800 Free – 1st & PB
- 50 Back – PB
- 100 Back – Finalist & PB
- 200 Back – 3rd
- 50 Fly – 3rd & PB
- 100 Fly – 2nd & PB
- 200 Fly – 3rd
Another huge honour—Reese has been selected for the Arena League B Final in Cardiff! Given the depth of talent in her club, this is an incredible achievement. Though she had to withdraw from the 1500m freestyle to compete, this selection is a true testament to her dedication and hard work.
A Proud Moment Beyond the Medals
While winning medals and setting personal bests are incredible achievements, sometimes the most memorable moments come from acts of kindness and true sportsmanship.
During the competition, Reese’s friend, teammate, and direct rival faced every swimmer’s nightmare—a race suit tear straight up the back, just minutes before her 100m freestyle race.
Without hesitation, Reese sprang into action. She quickly covered her friend, waved frantically for the team manager to toss down another suit, and helped her stay calm as the clock ticked down.
With only two heats left, panic set in. Both girls were in tears—one struggling to get into the replacement suit, the other feeling the stress of the moment for her friend. But Reese didn’t think twice. With just seconds to spare, she raced over from her own block, fixed her teammate’s twisted suit, and dashed back to her lane just in time for her own race.
She never once thought about herself or her own preparation—only about making sure her friend had a fair chance to compete.
That’s sportsmanship at its best.
Moments like these remind us why we’re so proud—not just of Reese’s achievements, but of the person she’s becoming.
Next Up: The Road to Nationals!
The journey doesn’t end here! Reese will now set her sights on Level 1 events, aiming to secure qualifying times for the British and English Nationals. With her determination, talent, and sportsmanship, there’s no doubt she has an exciting road ahead.
Stay tuned—more to follow soon…
