Herbert first off the mark for Dolphin National Qualifiers

Event: Aquae Sullis Level 1 Open Meet Venue: Bath University Date: 3rd, 4th and 5th December 2010

Liam Herbert became Dolphin’s first 2011 national qualifier in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Aquae Sullis Level 1 Open Meet at Bath University last weekend.

Personal best swims by the 17 year old ensured he was safely inside the qualifying times and can now focus on improving these further as well as making the grade in his other favoured event, the 100m butterfly.  Also coming close to the national mark was James Clark in the 400m individual medley, and a significant improvement in his 400 freestyle brought him within striking distance of his national time in that event.

Liam Herbert ~ 100m and 200m Backstroke National Qualifier 2011

Other previous qualifiers looking to return in 2011 include Samantha Berry in the 100m butterfly and Alex Chantler-Mayne in the 400m freestyle, whilst hard work by Charlotte Gardo and Matthew Sambrook in the training pool is clearly starting to pay dividends, both achieving personal best swims and a place at next years nationals is not an unrealistic target for either.

The meet also provided vital exposure to long course competition with many swimmers including Elizabeth Beckett, Megan Jones, Lauren Matthews, Victoria Jennings, Abbie Hawkins and Liam Jefferies all recording times within the regional qualifying standard.

Dolphin medallists over the weekend were Matthew Sambrook (2 gold, 1 bronze), Alex Chantler-Mayne (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Samantha Berry (1 gold, 2 bronze), James Watson (1 gold), Ben Sarachi (2 silver, 2 bronze), Elizabeth Beckett (2 silver), Noah Kirby (1 silver, 3 bronze), Liam Herbert (1 silver, 2 bronze), Victoria Jennings (1 silver), Charlotte Gardo (1 bronze), James Clark (1 bronze), Megan Jones (1 bronze).

In the overall Team competition, Dolphin finished a creditable fourth behind runaway winners Kelly College, hosts Aquae Sullis Performance as runners up and Basingstoke Bluefins in third.

Full results are available on the competition page.