Northern exposure

Dolphin swimmer Craig Harris will be getting a liking for Yorkshire having travelled North on each of the last two weekends and on both occasions enhanced his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young disability swimmers. In Sheffield for the National Junior & Youth Swimming Championships, Harris claimed top boy in his age group and followed that in Leeds a week later with a string of personal best times and final appearances at the British Gas International Meet.

Craig Harris ~ a promising prospect

In a busy weekend in Sheffield, Harris competed in eight individual events over the three sessions and took gold in the 14-16 age group in the 200M freestyle, 100M individual medley, 200M individual medley, and the 100 M backstroke. There were also silver medals in the 100M freestyle, behind Paralympic gold medalist and BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Josef Craig, and in the 100M butterfly.

Josh Pattison, Lead Coach of the South West Disability Swim Squad, was very pleased with Harris’ display at the meet. “Craig was focused and swam well all weekend, performing strongly again to retain the top boy trophy he won last year.” Pattison, who has great hopes that Harris will realise his potential, added “He is quickly becoming one of the most reliable swimmers on the South West squad and we are sure to see him on the international scene very soon.” Harris was presented with the award for top boy in his age group by Esther McVey, the Disabilities Minister.

The following weekend saw Harris as the only swimmer training in Swindon to appear at the biggest swim meet in the UK since the Olympics and Paralympics. Again Harris rose to the occasion and was not fazed in the company of swimmers such as Jonathan Fox, another gold medal winner during London 2012, as he reached the final in 3 of his 4 events, his most successful finishes being sixth place in the 200M freestyle and 200M individual medley.

Over the two meets Harris has had a chance to see first hand what will be required if he is to move to the next level and is showing that he has the temperament to succeed. Performance wise Harris is also moving in their right direction and it is now back to the hard work required to turn final appearances into medals.