Finals, Friendships & Fierce Determination
It’s been a packed and eventful few months for our FoSS mascot, Reese Huckle, and we’re thrilled to share her latest news with you.
From big performances at Regionals to a new Nationals qualification — and even braving the open water — Reese continues to inspire with her dedication, sportsmanship, and sheer love for swimming.
Focus on the South East Regionals
The South East Regionals were the major focus for the first half of the year — always a fiercely competitive meet, especially in the 2009 girls’ category, where the standard keeps rising. Reese gave it absolutely everything and came away with some phenomenal results.
She qualified for five finals:
- 800m freestyle
- 200m backstroke
- 200m freestyle
- 400m freestyle
- 100m butterfly
A standout moment was her incredible performance in the 400m freestyle, where she took 4 seconds off her personal best — a massive achievement at this level!
English Nationals – Here We Come!
With the qualifying window now closed, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Reese has secured her spot at the English Nationals 2025 in four events:
- 50m Butterfly
- 100m Butterfly
- 200m Butterfly
- 200m Backstroke
A huge step forward & a testament to the hard work she’s put in all season.
Bittersweet Moments & Narrow Misses
As with all elite sport, not every moment brings the outcome you hope for. At a last-chance qualifier, Reese secured gold in the 200m fly and silver in the 100m fly. While the medals were well-deserved, her times didn’t quite meet her high expectations — a bittersweet result that shows just how much she demands of herself.
In a particularly close call, she missed qualification for the British Nationals in the 100m fly by just 0.09 seconds. While disappointing, this moment has lit a fresh fire within her — and she’s already back in training, more determined than ever to come back stronger next season.
Team Spirit & Mental Strength
Beyond the races, Reese continues to shine as a true team player. From poolside Beyond the medals and personal bests, what continues to shine is the remarkable camaraderie among swimmers — both within their own clubs and across the wider swimming community.
Reese is known for cheering on her teammates from poolside, often watching their races as if they were her own. It’s this spirit of support and friendship that makes the sport so special.
The long, intense meet days — often four days long — are broken up with meals, walks, laughter, and time to reflect. These moments outside the pool are just as important, helping to build resilience, balance, and wellbeing.
(Photo shared with parental permission)
Braving the Open Water
Looking ahead, Reese will be taking on a new challenge at the South East Open Water Championships on 29th June, where she’s set to swim the 3K event — only her second time competing in open water. We’re incredibly proud of her for stepping outside her comfort zone and can’t wait to see how she gets on.
Preparing for Nationals
Training is now ramping up as we head towards the English Nationals from 29th July to 3rd August. With no 50m pool in Kent, Reese and her support team are having to travel further afield for training — a commitment that only strengthens her determination and adaptability.
Thank you for continuing to support Reese and the spirit of the FoSS community — your encouragement makes a huge difference.
We’ll be back with a full end-of-season round-up after Nationals. Until then, keep cheering her on!
All photos by Claire Jones
