Updated 19.08.08

British National Youth Swimming Championships 2008

The National Squad from Billingham ASC recently competed
at British National Youth Championships, which were held over
five days in the Olympic size, International Pool, at Ponds 
Forge in Sheffield. The British National Championships not 
only brings together the very best of British swimmers but 
also swimmers from as far away as Canada and Kenya. 

All of the competitors participating in the Championships had 
trained hard all year and qualified to swim in this event at galas
earlier in the year.  The Championships saw the culmination of
those efforts .To achieve the qualifying times to compete in 
The Championships is in itself a tremendous achievement for
the swimmers.  

Billingham’s 14 year old girls, Kate Williams and Stephanie Blakeburn
had tough competition as they were the youngest of the swimmers 
competing in the 14 to 15 year old age group.  

In fine style, Stephanie won a place in the final of the 400 metres
freestyle. Stephanie qualified for the final in 10th place and with a
super swim she finished the race in 6th place.  Stephanie was
placed 10th in the 800 metres freestyle and she qualified for the
semi finals in the 50 free, 100 free and 200 individual medley,
producing new personal best times. Stephanie also competed in
200 metres freestyle and 200 metres butterfly just missing out on
the final in the fly finishing in 12th place.

Kate had qualified to swim in both the 100 and 200 metres
backstroke at the Championships.  With a super new personal 
best time Kate qualified for the 100 metres backstroke semi final. 
In the semi final Kate went on to produce yet another new personal
best time.  Kate just missed out on the 200 backstroke final 
finishing in 12th place.

There was also tough competition for Chris Wilkinson and 
Bradley Dixon, both age 17 and competing in the 17 to 18 
year old age group.  

Chris had qualified to swim in 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres 
freestyle.  He was in great form and with terrific swims he produced
new personal best times in 100, 200 and 800 metres freestyle. 
Chris was placed just outside the top 10 in 1500 metres freestyle
finishing in 11th place.

Bradley qualified to swim in his speciality race, the 200 metres butterfly. 
By combining his National Pentathlon commitments with training for
swimming Bradley produced a good solid swim.

Glen Martin, age 16 competed in the 15 to 16 year old age group. 
Glen had qualified to swim in 400, 800 and 1500 metres freestyle. 
He swam well and achieved his highest placing in 800 metres 
freestyle finishing in 12th place.