On Saturday 17th October two of Sedgefield 75 ASC’s “A” Squad swimmers competed at the Sunderland Short Course National Qualifiers gala at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre.
Hannah Featherstone aged 16 competed in two events on the Saturday morning. In the 200 metres freestyle a strong swim meant Hannah took the gold medal in a time of 2.01.85. Then in a fast paced 50 metres freestyle Hannah was narrowly pipped into the silver medal position which she swam in a time of 26.60.
Matthew Bradley aged 17 had five swims over the course of the Saturday. He competed first in the 50 metres butterfly taking the bronze medal position with a personal best time of 26.49. Matthew then swam a good 200 metres breaststroke where he again took bronze medal position in a personal best time of 2.23.75. Matthew then took the gold medal in the 50 metres breaststroke in a time of 29.91 and achieved another personal best time. In the 100 metres freestyle Matthew was just knocked into silver medal position swimming in a time of 52.24 seconds. Matthew’s final swim was the best swim of the day for him where in the 100 metres individual medley he went sub one minute taking the gold medal with a time of 59.58 seconds and another personal best time. Matthew achieved two short course national times one in the 50 metres breaststroke and the other in the 100 metres individual medley.
Matthew and Hannah on Sunday 18th October were honoured to have been selected to represent the Northumberland and Durham ASA at the National County Team championships which took place at Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield. Hannah and Matthew both swam in the 100 metres freestyle and 4 x 50 metres medley teams. Matthew was chosen as the boy’s team captain having been selected to represent the County Team every year since he was twelve years old. He was very honoured to be Team Captain in his last year of being able to compete in the event. The team all swam well and finished in 4th place out of a total of twenty teams.
John Moore was very proud that two of his senior swimmers had been selected to represent the county team again and very pleased that Matthew and Hannah performed so well over the course of the weekend.