Northumberland & Durham County Swimming Championships

There were super performances from Billingham ASC swimmers at the recent Northumberland and Durham County Championships. Two of the club’s top butterfly swimmers were both crowned county champions in their individual age groups in the 200 metres butterfly event.

In the 13-year-old age group Jude Blackmore won the gold medal in 200m butterfly in a splendid new personal best time. Stephanie Blakeburn also won the gold medal in 200m butterfly with a dominant display in the open category of the championships.

Jude followed this success winning places in the finals of 50m and 100m butterfly in new personal best times. He just missed out on a podium position in 100m butterfly when he finished fourth in the final. Jude also set a new personal best time in 200m freestyle.

Jack Harwood also age 13 had great success in 200m butterfly winning the bronze medal in a splendid new personal best time. He also won places in the finals of 50m and 100m butterfly setting new personal best times in both events.

Sam Chell, 15, was in fine form throughout the championships. He posted new personal best times in the finals of 50m breaststroke and freestyle where he won two silver medals and the bronze medal in 100m breaststroke again in a new personal best time. Sam also won places in the finals of 100m butterfly, backstroke and freestyle setting super new personal best times along the way.

Hayley Briggs, 15, was also in great medal winning form. She won the bronze medal in 100m backstroke final with a super swim. Hayley also won places in the finals of 50m backstroke in a new personal best time where she was placed 5th and 100m butterfly.

Freya Williams, 14, swam very well throughout the championships winning places in the finals of 50m backstroke and freestyle and 100m freestyle. She won fifth place in 50 and 100m freestyle and also fifth place in 400m individual medley with a great new personal best time. Freya also set new personal best times in 200m individual medley and 200m backstroke.

In the open category of the championships, Claire Collins won places in the finals of 50m and 100m breaststroke where she was placed eighth and ninth. She also set new personal best times in 50m freestyle and butterfly and 200m freestyle and individual medley.

Nick Gowland set a series of new personal best times in 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and butterfly and he shaved eight seconds off his previous best time in 400m individual medley.

Jordan Mogford set a super new personal best time in the gruelling 1500m freestyle and also in 50m backstroke.

Lewis Robertson also swam very well setting a new personal best time in 100m breaststroke.

The Billingham Club was also represented by two teams in 4 x 100m medley relay events. Both teams set great new club best times. The girls team was set off the mark with Hayley swimming backstroke, Claire swimming breaststroke, Stephanie swimming butterfly and Freya swimming freestyle. The girls team was placed eighth overall.

The boys team was made up of Lewis swimming backstroke, Jordan swimming breaststroke, Nick swimming butterfly and Sam swimming freestyle. They were placed ninth overall.