LEAMINGTON Spa Amateur Swimming Club (LSASC) created history after winning gold and silver medals at the prestigious British Summer Championships for the first time.
The top 24 swimmers in Britain in each stroke and distance were invited to take part in the week-long competition held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield.
And Leamington sent a record number of swimmers to the event with nine qualifying for individual swims and a further four swimmers part of relay teams.
LSASC made the perfect start to the week as Teia Hendley (aged 15) claimed the club’s first ever medal at the Championships with silver in the 50m breaststroke setting a personal best time in the process.
And Annabel Crees (also aged 15) then won gold in the 100m backstroke to become British champion with a stunning swim.
The nine individual swimmers – Oliva Bates, Annabel, Joshua Golsby-Taylor, Teia, Jason Herbert, Abigail Jolley, Louis McAuliffe, Andre Onyekwe and Charlie Rounce – swam 27 individual swims between them over the seven days.
And they swam 18 personal best times, made nine finals, and set an impressive 13 club records.
The club also sent four relay teams, the largest number ever to qualify as Myles Harris, Poppy Miners, Zoe Sayers and George Smith joined teammates as part of the relay events.
Head Coach, Graham Nash, said: “I am so proud of all the swimmers who really showed they compete against the best in the country – with Annabel and Teia picking up well-deserved medals.
“Particularly pleasing was the number of personal bests, with most swimmers stepping up and going faster in finals, as well as the number of club records achieved.”
Chairperson, Karen Mee, added: “To not only send a record number of swimmers but to come away with our first ever medals is a massive achievement for a club of our size and a great credit to the swimmers for all their hard work and dedication.
“A massive thanks also goes to our coaching team, led by Graham, who spend hours poolside supporting our swimmers.”
