Manchester Open NW Regional Summer Championships 2016

Our older swimmers spent a very long weekend at the 15yrs- open age  North  West Regional Summer Championships in Manchester on 30 April/ 1 May. Some superb performances from all of them showed how hard they have all worked over the past few months.  With only 4 weeks to go until the National ‘window’ closes, many of them were looking to clock times to give them the chance of being in the top ranked places and so compete at the British or English National Summer Championships in July/August.
Aimee Banks (15) had an outstanding weekend, posting personal best times and reaching the final in every one of her events. One silver and two bronze medals as well as some excellent times should certainly see Aimee well placed to qualify for at least 2 or 3 events at the National championships.
Alex Livingstone (15) put in some excellent swims in her three Backstroke events. A place in two finals and a PB of 2.27.19 in the 200 Backstroke leaves Alex with the possibility of qualifying for her first Nationals in this event.
Hannah Edwards (15) reached the finals of all three of her Breaststroke events swimming some fantastic personal best times slashing 2 seconds off her 100m time and 4 seconds off her 200m time. A PB of 36.07  in the 50m Breaststroke also leaves Hannah with the potential of qualifying for her first Nationals.
Our two other 15 year old girls also swam very well: Ella Mounsey finished 7th in the 400m Freestyle with a committed swim leading out from the front and a PB of 33.27 in the 50m Backstroke achieved a 12th place finish. Sadie Spencer added another great swim in the 50m Backstroke  with a time of 34.10 right on her PB.
16 year old Emily Reay produced a strong swim in the 50 Freestyle with a PB of 29.96.
Jess Shatford (17) once again showed great style in the 50m Breaststroke. A time of 35.82 was right on her PB and achieved a reserve finalist position.
Josh Thompson (18) focussed on clocking times for Nationals in his key events, the highlight of his weekend being the final of the 100m Freestyle, where an outstanding effort in the last 25m produced a excellent time and season’s best swim of 52.64