Tigersharks look towards Nationals

Tigersharks were on top from this weekend at the Leatherhead long course open meet which was held at Crystal Palace.

Rosemary Broad and Laurent Jones (11) were the first to shine when they both booked their spots at the National Age Groups in July. Jones snatched her first NQT in the 800m FC in a huge personal best time. She also narrowly missed her 200m FC by just 0.23 of a second. Team mate Broad easily gained her first NQT of 2006 by over 11 seconds in the 800m FC. Like Jones she then went on to miss her 400m FC by 0.30 of a second and her 200m FC by just 1 second.

Sophie Hawkins (13) cemented her short course NQT's over 100m and 200m FC by achieving them both in a long course pool. Hawkins also swam closer to her 400 FC and 200m IM National times with plenty of time to go to make the grade. Natalie Montezuma (14) was thrilled with her 100m Backstroke swim which saw her just .40 off her first NQT. Just one swim later she thrilled her team mates as she cruised to her National qualifying time in the 50m FC with time to spare.

Alex Jones was once again in formidable form as he notched up six long course National times in the 100, 200, 400 & 1500m FC, 200m IM & 200m Backstroke. He missed his 100m Backstroke by just 0.04 of a second, but had a fabulous weekends swimming.

Team mate Stacey Wood was in superb form having just missed her 100 Butterfly NQT by less than half a second she stormed to victory in the 200m Butterfly in a time of 2:27.13 which was a National qualifying time and what would be a new Wiltshire record. Wood was shocked to learn she had been disqualified for moving her foot at the start. However her positive frame of mind and determination assured she was pleased to have made her mark. Dean Williamson (14) further lowered his 800m FC time leaving him easily inside the National Qualifying standard for this event & bringing his tally of National times to three.

Aaron Lee was agonisingly close to his 2 nd NQT 100m Butterfly NQT as he missed out on his time by just 0.43 and his 100m Backstroke by less than a second. James Magness (14) has been in superb form this year and produced two fantastic backstroke swims. In the 200m event Magness was disappointed to miss his first ever National time by just 0.29 of a second and his 100m time by 0.75 of a second. However he surely knows that he will be joining his team mates in Sheffield in July.

Jason Butt (11) was clearly the most unlucky swimming of the weekend when he swam within 0.09 of a second of his first National Qualifying time in the 200m FC. But with opportunities over the next few months Jason will endeavour to make the grade.

Medal winners: Hayley Wood, Aaron Lee, Shaun Bracey, Matthew Jones, Dean Williamson, Alex Jones, Sophie Hawkins, Rosie Broad, Lauren Jones, Joshua Wheeler, Natalie Montezuma, Hannah Brown, Hayley Towner, Siobhan Tierney, Jason Butt, Craig Bull, Kris Langley.

National Qualifiers to date: Alex Jones, Dean Williamson, Sophie Hawkins, Jazz Carlin, Grant Turner, Aaron Lee, Rosemary Broad, Lauren Jones & Natalie Montezuma.

Meanwhile Tigersharks Grant Turner and Jazz Carlin are celebrating their selection for the European Junior Championships in Majorca in July. Turner will be part of the boy's 4 x 100m FC team and Carlin will step up for the 800m FC. There selection follows their outstanding performance at the British Championships this month.