SWIMMING: NATIONAL championships debutantes from Crewe Flyers showed promise for the future at Sheffield.
Eleven year-olds Lauren Sinclair, Bethany Mayor and Michael Eastwood found the going tough at the ASA National Age Group Championships at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre last week.
But they gained valuable experience which could help them to become medal contenders next time around.
Lauren performed superbly to record a time of 2mins 48secs and earn 19th in the 200m butterfly.
Bethany qualified in six events and achieved a reserve finalist position in the 100m backstroke, while Michael qualified in four events. He finished 15th in the 200m backstroke and notched two personal bests.
Meanwhile, more experienced competitors included Daniel Carragher, 14, who finished 50th in the 100m freestyle, and Colette Foster, 12, who finished 30th in the 400m freestyle.
Abbie Henderson signed off from the Crewe Flyers with a super performance. The 13-year-old, who has now left to join another club, came fifth in the 400m freestyle and fourth in the 800m freestyle.
Meanwhile, Sandbach-based swimmers Sarah Goddard and Samuel Davies represented Stockport Metro at the championships.
Sarah, 12, came 14th in the 200m IM, 13th in the 400m IM, 24th in the 400m freestyle, 34th in the 200m freestyle and 35th in the 800m freestyle.
Samuel, 11, recorded 10 lifetime bests as he took gold in the 400m freestyle, silver in the 200m freestyle and 100m free-style, fifth in the 400m IM, sixth in the 200m IM, seventh in the 200m butterfly and 11th in the 100m butterfly.
In addition to his three medals Samuel was presented with a silver salver as the overall winner of the 11-year-old boys section, after amassing 2,157 points.
