Borders swimmers make a splash

Published 4 Aug 2010 13:54 0 Comments

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SWIMMERS across the Borders are continuing to make waves this year.

Swim Team Borders, the performance swimming squad of the Borders, has enjoyed a successful 2009/2010 season as it heads into its final major competition - the British Age Group and Youth Championships in Sheffield.

The team, coached by Borders Performance Coach, Alex Jordan, has won an impressive six gold, six silver and six bronze medals and contested dozens of finals at Scottish national level this season. In addition, every member of the squad qualified for this season's Scottish National Age Group Championships in April.

One of the highlights of the season so far is the success achieved by squad members Lucy Hope, Chloe Mitchell, Jessica Wilcox and Amy Fraser at the Scottish National Open Championships in June when they teamed up to represent the Borders in the 4x200m freestyle relay. The girls claimed the Scottish Junior Title, also winning bronze in placing third overall in the open category.

Team members also claimed 16 medals, including seven gold, and broke three records at East District level this season. Members of the team have also earned representative honours on many occasions through the season with a team member representing Scotland at the WISE Schools International in March, one member representing Great Britain and Scotland on an open water talent camp and racing tour of France, Italy and Suffolk in June, and three swimmers selected to represent Scotland at the UK School Games this September.

In the squad's season finale, four Swim Team Borders members have qualified in 15 events for the British Age Group and Youth Championships.

Unfortunately, one of the qualifiers, Scott Wilcox (aged 17, Teviotdale ASC) is unable to attend this year. However, Lucy Hope (aged 13, Kelso ASC), Jessica Wilcox (aged 14, Teviotdale ASC) and Amy Fraser (aged 15, Gala ASC) will all make the trip to Sheffield, with all three well-placed in the rankings.

All members of Swim Team Borders have made major improvements over the past season achieving many impressive personal best times at both district and national level. Further success is expected from the team next season with more district level medallists and finalists set to join the squad for the new season.

Swim Team Borders forms part of the Borders Performance Development Programme, a partnership between Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Swimming, Borders Sport and Leisure Trust and five local swimming clubs (Duns, Galashiels, Kelso, Peebles and Teviotdale Amateur Swimming Clubs).

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