SWIMMING: Worthing make a splash in Sussex Championships

The young swimmers, aged just 12 and 13, have a promising future ahead of them after winning several events each from hundreds of competing swimmers. The Worthing team finished fifth from a field of more than 18 teams.

Karen Chan, 13, who has picked up gold medals at the championships since she was nine, had another exceptional year.

She finished top in the 100m and 200m backstroke and, after a correction by the ASA, second in the girls' 13 age group.

Joe Hazeldine, 13, who has been setting club records every year since the age of nine, recorded wins in the 200m breastroke and 1,500m freestyle.

Harry Burnell, 12, finished at the top of the boys' 12-year age group. He won the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley and the gruelling 400m individual medley.

Not to be over-shadowed by the exploits of their champion team mates, nine-year-old swimmers Rebecca Harman and Luke Moore finished in the top eight in their age group.

Nathan Jones and Ben Goddard, both 12, also finished in the top eight of their age group.

The nine-year-old relay teams were rewarded for their hard work and enthusiasm with finalist rosettes.

The girls team was made up from Belle Zoutewelle, Rebecca Harman, Florence Mason, Holly Stoner, Holly Cowtan, Kitty Casey.

The boys team featured Rhys Edwards, Lucas Bubb, Luke Moore, Isaac Taylor-Clark, Brandon Rich.

Alexander Cranford, 16, was Worthing's busiest swimmer. He took part in 18 different events at the championships.

Cranford, who has already made the international stage with team GB at the Deaflympics in 2009, recorded a 16-second personal-best in the 400m freestyle to finish in fifth place.

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing sport.

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]