Six Locks Heath swimmers have qualified for the Hampshire County Championships in March after a number of personal bests (PB) at a meet in Southampton.
Out of the eight Locks Heath Swim Squad swimmers at The Quays Level 2 open meet Emma Trotman, Ellie Fletcher, Ben Willsmore, Ben Wilton, Emily Tidby and Arabella Suttie achieved qualifying times for the county races.
The club were represented over four age groups, ranging from 10 to 13 years of age. Swimming in 33 races the squad produced impressive times, with an inspired 20 personal best times achieved – two of which were club records.
Ten-year-old Arabella took to the water first at the city meet in and won the 400 metre freestyle with a PB of 5:49:11.
Emily and Evie Loveman, both 12, entered the 200 metres individual medley girls’ 11 to 12 age group. Emily swam a PB of 3:08:37 and went on to gain PBs in four other races.
Ellie, 13, who was taking part in six events, followed on in the 13-14 age group and gained a PB in the 100 metre freestyle in a time of 1:07:87.
In the same category, Emma, 13, swam an unforgettable 200 metre freestyle to claim a club record for her age group of 2:29:93. She went on to have an exceptional meet, competing in an exhausting seven events in total and gained a further club record for her age group in the 200 metre freestyle with a time of 2:16:17.
She also achieved personal bests in her remaining five events, finishing third in 50 metres freestyle and two second places in 50 metre breaststroke and 100 metres backstroke.
Ben, 12, swam four PBs out of five races, gaining the top spot in the 50 metre backstroke with a PB time of 34:94 and third place in 50 metre freestyle with a PB of 30:29. He finished his day off with a third place in 100 metre backstroke in a PB time of 1:17:66.
Evie and Tess Edwards were congratulated by the club for their efforts, but did not gain qualifying.
The county championships will take place on the weekends between March 2 and March 17 in Portsmouth and Southampton.