Tigersharks scoop top places & further NQT's at South West Region Youth Competition

Tigersharks finalist's (left) Craig Bull, Dean Williamson, Aaron Lee, James Magness, Alex Jones, Natalie Montezuma, Stacey Wood, Rachel Russell, Sophie Hawkins & Laura Young. Jazz Carlin is not pictured.

Tigersharks swimmers were out in force at the South West Region Youth Championships last weekend. The competition for boys aged 15 + and girls 14 + was contested by swimmers all over the South West of England.

Jazmin Carlin (16) had a fantastic weekend as she took gold in the 1500m and 400m FC & Silver in the 200m FC final which she had to swim only I hour after completing the 1500m FC event. Jazz achieved National Qualifying times in 4 events, unfortunately her favoured event of 800m FC was cancelled due a problem with the water quality. Jazmin has now qualified for 7 events at this years National Competition.

Alexander Jones (15) easily took gold in the 400m FC & 400m Individual Medley. He also snatched the silver in the 200m FC as he fastest 15 year old in the 15/16 year age group. Jones notched up another long Course National time in the 200m Backstroke to take his tally to a massive 9 events for this year competition.

Sophie Hawkins (14) was in fantastic form as she achieved 5 Long Course National times in the 50m, 100m, 200m & 400m FC and the 200m Individual Medley. Swimming in the 14/15 year age group, she also collected a bronze medal for her outstanding swim in the 200m FC, and made the final of all of the events above.

Dean Williamson (15) was also in great shape as he notched up a further 4 long course National times in the 200m & 400m FC and 100m & 200m Butterfly. Added to his previous NQT in the 800m FC this brings Williamson's total to 5 National times for this year competition.

Laura Young (14) Delighted her coach and fellow team mates as she cruised to her fist National time of 2007 in the 100m Breaststroke. Young took Silver medals in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke event and was narrowly edged into 4 th in the 200m event.

Aaron Lee (16) motored to his first Long Course National time in the 100m Butterfly to add to his 100m Back time and he snatched a great Bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke.

James Magness (15) cruised to the required National standard in the 200m Backstroke and found himself in the finals of the 50m, 100m and 200m Backstroke event. He agonisingly missed his 100m NQT by just a fraction of a second.

Natalie Montezuma showed her strength over the sprint events as she took Silver medals in the 50m Backstroke and Butterfly and Bronze in the 50m FC. Her FC time cemented her Long Course National time with a faster qualification standard than previously set. Natalie unfortunately just missed her 50m and 100m Backstroke NQT by less than half a second.

Rachel Russell (16) produced a lifetime best as she powered her way into the 16 & Over 200m Butterfly. Stacey Wood (15) Just missed out on a medal in the same 200m Butterfly final as she was edged out by less than half a second.

Craig Bull (18) swam a fantastic 50m Breaststroke to take 6 th place in a lifetime best, amongst some very tough company.

Kieron German (15) swam a fantastic 800m FC to produce his 3 rd lifetime best in just 2 months, taking himself to just 4 seconds of his first NQT. A fantastic achievement for this young swimmer who was just making District times last year. German also swam a fine 400m FC setting another LTB.

Matthew Jones (15) is returning to form following a long period of illness. He produced some great swims all weekend but unfortunately was just short of the time he was chasing that was required for his 50m FC NQT. However he must be happy with the personal best times achieved.

Alissa Johnson (14) and Daniel Butt (15) equipped themselves well in their events. Both Johnson and Butt produced fine long course personal best times in their events. Johnson 100m Breaststroke and Butt 100m Backstroke.

Returning with 5 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze medals, 33 top eight finalists and 18 new National Times, the Sharks can be very satisfied with their performance over the three days.

Tigersharks now look forward to the BagCat competition for Boys 11 – 14 and Girls 11- 13 years that is held in June.