Three Personal Bests, Three Finals & National Selection for Reese Huckle
Some weekends remind us exactly why we believe in young athletes.
For 16-year-old swimmer Reese Huckle, the International AP Race London meet at the iconic London Aquatics Centre became one of those unforgettable moments. Competing alongside Olympic medallists and international swimmers, Reese didn’t just gain valuable experience, she produced the best performances of her swimming career.
Before sharing the highlights, our family would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to support Reese’s journey. Opportunities like this simply wouldn’t be possible without that support. Between entry fees, travel expenses and spectator tickets, competing at this level comes at a significant cost and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make these experiences achievable.
A Weekend About Experience
This competition fell outside the qualification window, meaning there was no pressure to chase qualifying times. Instead, the goal was straightforward: enjoy the occasion, race against world-class athletes and learn from the experience.
Just being accepted into all three of her events was an achievement in itself.
Sharing the pool with Olympic and international stars including Adam Peaty, Lauren Cox and Matt Richards was something Reese will never forget.
As a 16-year-old competing in an open international event, Reese found herself racing against swimmers in the 18 & Under category and beyond. Rather than feeling intimidated, she embraced the opportunity with a simple mindset:
“I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Taking on the Challenge Alone
Determined to make the most of the opportunity while keeping costs down, Reese travelled to London independently, setting off at 6am and taking responsibility for every part of her day.
It was another step in her journey… not just as a swimmer, but as a young adult growing in confidence and independence.
Breaking Through in the 200m Butterfly
The first event of the day was the 200m Butterfly.
For Reese, this race has represented both determination and frustration.
Since swimming a personal best of 2:27 back in August 2023, she had repeatedly finished in the 2:29–2:31 range despite countless hours of dedicated training. After nearly three years of trying to break through that barrier, she had even suggested it might be time to move away from the event altogether.
Having already entered her for the race, I encouraged her to approach it one final time… without pressure, without expectation, simply to enjoy racing.
That advice proved to be priceless.
Competing in Heat 1 against swimmers from across the world, Reese looked relaxed, composed and incredibly strong.
Watching the livestream from home, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Stroke after stroke she looked more confident than ever.
When she touched the wall, the scoreboard revealed an incredible 2:24.79.
Her long-standing personal best had finally fallen.
Not only that, but she had qualified for the Junior Final, where she went on to finish in an outstanding third place.
For anyone who would like to watch the race, Reese appears in Lane 3, approximately 1 hour, 36 minutes and 30 seconds into the livestream:
The Momentum Continued
The confidence gained from the butterfly carried into the rest of the day’s racing.
In the 200m Backstroke, Reese produced another outstanding swim, recording 2:25.00, another personal best and another place in the final.
She then lined up for the 100m Butterfly.
Having already achieved a sizeable personal best at the Regional Championships just weeks earlier, expectations were modest.
Once again, with nothing to lose, Reese delivered another exceptional performance.
She stopped the clock in 1:04.51 yet another personal best and another place in the final.
An Incredible Weekend
By the end of the competition, Reese’s achievements spoke for themselves:
- 3 events
- 3 personal bests
- 3 finals
All achieved while competing independently, trusting her training and believing in herself.
Watching from home, it genuinely felt as though the World Cup final was taking place in our living room!
Even More Good News
The celebrations didn’t end there.
Following the competition, Reese received confirmation that she has been selected to represent her club at the British National Championships in two relay events:
- 4 × 200m Freestyle Relay
- 4 × 100m Medley Relay, where Reese will lead the team off in the 100m Backstroke
It is another proud milestone and a wonderful reward for years of dedication and perseverance.
Eyes on the Future
With her GCSEs now behind her, Reese can turn her full attention to training and preparing for the National Championships.
Before then, she heads to the South East Open Water Championships, where another exciting challenge awaits.
One thing is becoming increasingly clear: Reese’s journey is only just beginning.
Every competition brings new confidence, every race brings new belief, and every opportunity helps unlock another level of her potential.
We cannot wait to see what comes next…
All photos by Claire Jones
About the Author: Claire Jones
