Derventio Swimmers eXcel at Nationals

Derventio eXcel enjoyed a highly successful British Age Group Championships in Sheffield last week with Jamie Broom claiming two silvers and Derventio swimmers making 14 national finals. Compared to two finalists and no medallists in the 2003 Championships this continues to mark the improvement that Derventio have made in their first year.

These Championships are of the highest quality with all the best age group swimmers in Great Britain competing to impress Bill Sweetenham and his team at British Swimming.

Jamie Broom was the star performer and confirmed his current selection on the World Class programme. Jamie took two silvers in the 14 years boys 100 and 200 freestyle. He added the 200 freestyle on day four to the 100 freestyle from day one by breaking the 2 minute barrier for the first time. He pushed the winner of this race to a new British Age Group standard. Jamie continues Derbyshire’s rich tradition with Ross Davenport at the Athens Olympics in this event. Jamie reached 5 finals including the 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 metres freestyle. He also placed 5^th overall in the 14years boys British Age Group category. Every event Jamie swam in he achieved a personal best time.

Sarah Gibson took the title of best girl for Derventio at the Championships. Sarah added to her 4^th place on day one in the girls 11 years 100 metres butterfly to take a 5^th in the 200 metres butterfly on day four. Once again Sarah produced personal bests in both these events. This was Sarah’s first national event and marks an impressive improvement since the start of Derventio. Sarah did not qualify for the Midland Championships in 2003.

Like Sarah, another swimmer who did not qualify in the Midland Championships in 2003 and who has achieved a staggering improvement is Livvi Sefton. Livvi produced an incredible best time of over 6 seconds to take 4^th in the girls 12 years 200 metres butterfly. Again this is Livvi’s first national event.

Oliver Froud continued his impressive record in the boys 13 years category taking 4^th place in the overall championship and making three finals. Oliver produced two staggering personal bests in the 100 metres backstroke and 200 metres freestyle to take two 5^th places. This added to his 6^th place in the 200 backstroke.

Emma Smithurst placed 8^th in the girls 13 years 400 Individual medley. This is Emma’s first nationals and this was some 18 seconds quicker than her district time in June.

The girls 11-13 years 4 X 100 metres medley relay of Rebecca Harrison, Danny Hemmings, Emma Smithurst and Katy Lockey also made the final to take tenth place and again produced a four second best time. This added to the freestyle relay with Grace Morris taking the fourth spot instead of Danny Hemmings, that placed seventh in an eight second best time.

All individual finalists are now part of the new British Swimming talent identification programme introduced at the Championships. These swimmers will be under the watchful eye of Bill Sweetenham and his team in a bid to produce better quality Olympic athletes beyond the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Mark Rose, Head Coach of Derventio eXcel said:

“I was delighted with the swimming we produced. 9 swimmers out of a team of 12 were first time national qualifiers and this is an awesome event. We made our rivals sit up and take notice by swimming fast.

Both Jamie and Oliver have achieved national finals in the previous year’s championships and both continue to progress and swim faster. Both performed when it mattered and showed their potential as world class performers.

It is also great to see our new younger swimmers making their mark too.; it was the first national event for Sarah Gibson (11) and Livvi Sefton (12); Sarah taking a fourth and a fifth is outstanding and Livvi taking a fourth is equally as impressive. Emma Smithurst (13) is another first time qualifier and reached a final…impressive! They can all be proud of their achievements.

The swimmers continue to improve; they are building a reputation and in future Championships will be swimmers to beat. To continue this improvement I will be raising the standards in training and aiming to convert the silver medals to gold and the minor placings to medals.

Over 82% of swims were personal bests and although this is impressive we will strive to improve this further.”

Julie Gibson, Chair of Derventio eXcel said:

“It marks the end of an impressive first year. Our results have exceeded our expectations but now the challenge is set to repeat this and further improve. With the continued help of our partners and sponsors I am confident greater swimming success will come to Derbyshire.”

Derventio eXcel is a partnership between the feeder swimming clubs in the area, Derby City Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, British Swimming, the Derbyshire Peak Park Sport and Recreation Forum, the University of Derby and Derby College.