WATER DEBUT! Niamh Knowles finished second in the county and region
NIAMH Knowles marked her first open water swimming race by qualifying to compete against the country's elite.
Fifteen-year-old Niamh was an immediate success when she made her competitive open water debut in the sport at Salford Quays.
She finished second in both the North West and Lancashire races to qualify for the national championships in Sheffield.
The Year 10 student swam 3km in the North West Region Open Water Regional Championships and, despite only managing two practice swims over the previous month, she beat all her rivals apart from one in both the county and regional races.
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