(St Helens Star, 26th March 2009)
SEVERAL members of St Helens High Performance Swim Squad produced 23 personal bests and many Regional qualifying times in the Lancashire County Championships at the Manchester Aquatic Centre.
First on the blocks was Ciara Hamand in the 100m backstroke, followed by Danni Tither, before Simon Williams marked his entry by coming 3rd in the 1500m Freestyle. Simon then came second in the 200m fly and went on to gain seven regional times, closely followed by Alex Dunk with five.
Jake Simm showed how much he has improved since joining Prescot Swimming Club from St Helens S.C. with a fantastic swim in the 200m freestyle with Tom Hughes showing great reactions off the blocks in the 50m fly.
Chris Jones, Phil Morgan and Nathan Coy continued their good form in the freestyle sprints along with Kerryanne Gough and Chloe Middleham.
Younger swimmers Emily Lowrie, Cameron Dunk and Alice Harrison impressed in their first County Championships whilst Courtney Dodson returned from injury to produce a Long Course best in the 50m freestyle.
The swimmers are now looking forward to the Regional Championships in May and June before heading off to Germany for the Stuttgart International Gala where they will line up in the magnificent Inselbad 50m outdoor pool against some of the best swimmers from all over Europe.