Flying High

Sam Clayton was on top of the world this weekend when he claimed his first ever National Qualifying time in the 100m Butterfly at the Wiltshire Centenary Gala.

Clayton reversed his disappointment from a week earlier when he missed his 400m Individual Medley time for this years Nationals by an agonising 0.11 of a second.

He was not to be denied this time around as he cruised to a time of 1:03.05 to snatch his time. Credit has to be given to this young man who joined Tigersharks nine months ago from Chippenham. Sam travels from Chippenham eight times a week to attend training, his early morning's demand a 4am start for him and his parents. However his hard work and dedication has been rewarded and there is still more to come as he hovers within a second of three more NQT's. Aaron Lee also cruised to his 2 nd NQT, this time in the 100m Fly to add to his 100m Backstroke time. James Magness and Natalie Montezuma just missed out on their 2 nd NQT's in the 100m Backstroke, but were encouraged by the personal best times achieved. Sophie Hawkins smashed her 100m Individual Medley time to leave her just .60 of a second away from the Junior County record with 18 months grace to achieve the time.

Sophie Roberts, Briony Merritt, Rachel Waine, Melissa Glass, Kane Baker, Matthew Jones, Dean Williamson, Kieron German, Rachael Steele, Hayley Wood Jamie King, Laura Young and Stacey Wood were other Tigershark swimmers who produced outstanding performances to help Wiltshire County shine this weekend.