Swimming: Nationals challenge for clubs' top talent (From Bournemouth Echo)

Swimming: Nationals challenge for clubs' top talent

5:12pm Wednesday 21st July 2010 in

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THIRTEEN Bournemouth Dolphins, eight Ferndown Otters, three Poole swimmers and one Christchurch and New Milton Seagull head north over the next month for the annual summer festival of championship swimming.

They represent the cream of the area’s swimming talent and, for most, it will be the highlight of their sporting year – and a chance to test themselves against the best of Britain.

A total of 29 swimmers from eastern Dorset qualified for the nationals but Ferndown’s Fran Hughes and Dolphins’ Portugal-based Nathan Theodoris – both medallists in previous years – have withdrawn due respectively to illness and injury.

Two others, European Youth Olympics champion Amelia Maughan and multiple age group medallist Joe Poynter, will represent Bath ITC and Millfield respectively although both are still Dolphins members.

The others include six who have won medals in previous years, with Ferndown’s Alan Wong – ranked first in at least one event – the most likely to repeat that success this year.

Dolphins have also qualified for all three boys’ age group relays.

The ASA National Age Group Championships get underway next Wednesday and the Youth Championships on August 3, both at Sheffield.

The ASA Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials begin at Sunderland on August 18.

MEET THE QUALIFIERS Andrew Botros (Seagulls), 11. Makes his nationals debut in the 100 and 200m butterfly and 400m medley and is ranked ninth in the 200.

Jack Burton (Dolphins), 14. After coming last on his nationals debut last year, the much-improved breaststroker now finds himself ranked sixth and fourth in the 100 and 200m and will also swim all three age group relays.

Tess Carter (Dolphins), 14. After swimming in relays in the last two years, she is targeting semi-finals as she makes her youth championships debut in the 100 and 200m butterfly.

Scott Denham (Dolphins), 22. The Bournemouth Uni student makes his nationals debut in the 50m breaststroke at the ASA Championships in Sunderland next month.

Craig Freeman (Ferndown), 17. The former age group bronze medallist is attending his seventh consecutive nationals to swim in the 100m freestyle and backstroke.

Fiona Hardie (Ferndown), 16. Attending her third nationals with a much-expanded programme of 50 and 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m medley.

Jamie Holmes (Dolphins), 12. Fourth-placed rankings in the 100 and 200m breaststroke make the regional champion a serious medal contender at his nationals debut.

Jasmine Holmes (Dolphins), 11. The nationals debutant should be challenging for a medal in the 1500m freestyle, in which she is ranked fifth, and also goes in the 200 and 800m free.

Kiana Hooshmand (Dolphins), 12. The former national-standard diver, forced to quit diving last year after breaking her hand, now finds herself as a potential finalist in the 200m breaststroke at her first swimming nationals.

Fran Hughes (Ferndown), 17. The 2008 national youth champion qualified for the 100 and 200m breaststroke and 200m medley this year but has withdrawn after illness disrupted her training.

Tom Kingham (Dolphins), 11. With one top four and two top seven rankings, the South West age group champion hopes to be challenging for medals as he goes in the 100 and 200m freestyle and 200 and 400m medley at his first nationals.

Mikey Kingsley (Dolphins), 14. Better known as a member of Seagulls’ successful water polo squad, he makes his nationals debut as a member of Dolphins’ relay squad.

Lucy Kirkham (Ferndown), 14. Qualified for her first nationals in the 50m freestyle at youth level.

Martin Littlefair (Dolphins), 17. Recently reunited with former Dolphins coach Graham Bassi at British Swimming’s Intensive Training Centre in Swansea, he swims in the 50, 100, 200 and 400m freestyle at the youth championships and will be hoping to make a final or two.

Lottie McRae (Dolphins), 15. The experienced nationals swimmer has a busy programme that comprises the 100 and 200m butterfly, 200m backstroke and 200 and 400m medley.

Amelia Maughan (Bath ITC), 14. The European Youth Olympic champion is favourite for the 50 and 100m titles at her first youth championships despite being in the bottom half of the age group. She is second favourite for the 200m freestyle and also swims the 400m.

Jay Olenicz (Ferndown), 15. The former Poole and Bournemouth swimmer is representing his third club in four national championships having won silver in 2007 and bronze in 2008. In his first youth championships, he goes in the 100 and 200m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Kiran Olenicz (Poole), 11. Following in his brother’s footsteps to swim the 100 and 200m backstroke at his first nationals.

Joe Poynter (Millfield), 15. The winner of numerous age group medals as a Bournemouth swimmer makes his debut at youth level under the Millfield banner.

Todd Price (Poole), 13. Swine flu wrecked his 2009 championships after he twice missed a medal by the narrowest margin in 2008. Hopefully a switch of clubs will herald a change of luck for the ex-Ferndown swimmer, who goes in the 100 and 200m butterfly.

Courtney Rowan (Poole), 14. Also making her debut for Poole after moving from Dolphins, for whom she won a bronze medal last year. She’ll be competing against best buddy Amelia Maughan in the 50 and 100m freestyle and also swims the 100m butterfly.

Dan Speers (Dolphins), 13. The winner of five golds at last year’s Irish age groups now has an outside chance of medals at his first British nationals, where he swims the 100 and 200m breaststroke 200 and 400m medley and all three relays.

Luke Stewart (Ferndown), 11. Qualified for his first nationals in the 100 and 200m breaststroke and is hoping to reach finals.

Nathan Theodoris (Dolphins), 15. The Portugal-based ex-pat has added to Bournemouth’s medal tally in the last two years but has withdrawn this time due to injury.

Harry Thorpe (Dolphins), 14. After winning two relay silver medals last year, he heads for his third national age groups for the 100 and 200m freestyle and the relays.

Naomi Vides (Ferndown), 15. The former national age group champion swims in the 100 and 200m breaststroke and 200m medley and is hoping to qualify for the AASE sports apprenticeship programme.

Noah Vides (Ferndown), 13. Just missed out on the breaststroke finals in 2009 after reaching two on his debut in 2008. Goes in the 200m breaststroke this time.

Zoe Watson (Dolphins), 17. A regular finalist and semi-finals, Watson is attending her fifth consecutive nationals to swim the 100 and 200m freestyle and possibly the 400. Previous best place: 5th.

Alan Wong (Ferndown), 12. Won silver and bronze medals on his debut last year and is targeting gold this time after qualifying for the 100 and 200m backstroke, butterfly and freestyle.