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Inspired by the success of British swimmers on the world stage this summer City’s swimmers travelled to Sheffield for the National Age and Youth Championships. With an increase in the number of swimmers qualifying for the meets the coaching staff were hungry for success and their swimmers didn’t disappoint.
Continuing her summer of success Ilkley’s Sian Morgan powered her way to a silver medal in the girls 14/15 years 200m freestyle in a new best time of 2.04.41. The longer distance freestyle events also proved to be successful for Morgan when she placed fourth in the 800m freestyle in new best time of 8.58.77 and the 400m event where she placed fifth in a time of 4.21.42. Other top twenty finishes came in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle.
Freestyle specialist Dimity Kadochnikov swimming in the boys 15/16 age group swam a well paced 1500m freestyle to finish in a best time of 16.41.04. At the other extreme he also did a best time in the 50m sprint to finish in 24.97. His other swims came in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m events.
Swimming in his first National Youth Championship seventeen year old Luke Constantine demonstrated consistent form in finishing the 200m individual medley in a time of 2.15.01.
The National Age Group Championships produced best times of 57.13 for fourteen year old Sam O’Donohoe in the 100m freestyle and 2.20.90 in the 200m individual medley. His other qualifying swims were in the 200m and 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke.
Also competing at this level was fourteen year old James Dawson who completed his 400m individual medley in very creditable 5.01.78 to finish in eighteenth place.
For the first time in several years City was represented at the National event by a team. In the form of Lydia Biddiscome, Jessica Foulds, Lauren Sharp and Niki Chatburn they finished in 24th place in the girls 4 x 20m freestyle relay in a best time of 9.23.36 gaining valuable experience for the future.
All the swimmers train with Leisure Services Coaching and Training Scheme under the guidance of Head Coach Andy Pearce.
Christine McCabe
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