BOLTON Metro swim squad were in action recently at the British Gas ASA North West Age Group Regionals held at the 50m Manchester Aquatics Centre.

A team of 16 swimmers competed in a number of individual events as well as team relays against the best swimmers in the North West region after achieving tough qualifying times during the season.

Arran Bostock, aged 14, was the pick of the boys as he qualified for four finals, winning three silver medals and taking fourth place in the 100 and 200m backstroke and the 200m and 400m freestyle as well as picking up a number of qualifying times for the Scottish Nationals.

Jessie Harper, aged 13, who competed in six individual events and three relays, reached final in the 100m and 200m backstroke and recorded personal best swims.

Arran was also part of the 10-14-year-old boys A teams for the relays.

The team included Bostock, Oscar Oldbury- Swift, Callum Pritchard and Rhys Aston and became regional champions in the 4x200m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relays with times that have ensured their qualification for the ASA National Championships in August when they will compete against the best swimmers in Great Britain.

The freestyle relays were excruciating to watch as they were very close with the boys swimming out of their skins to win both events.

The medley boys team, with Stephen Hancock replacing Rhys Aston, finished fifth and have to wait to see how other teams across the UK fare before their place can be confirmed.

Coach Tom McManus said: “I am so happy for Arran and Jessie who had a great regional championships, the boys relay teams were fantastic and I am very proud to be their coach. I have never coached a winning relay team before and now I have a double winning team!”

“A lot of good swimmers attended this gala, it is tough to qualify and all the BMSS swimmers acquitted themselves well. We leave with a large number great swims and PBs and while the boys A team take some of the glory, the girls and boys B were also excellent with a lot of talent shining through in those groups.”

He added “We have Jessie, Arran, Oscar competing in the Scottish National Championships soon with one of our youth swimmers, Jack Dandy, and we have submitted a boys relay team for the 4x200m freestyle. There is still a lot of serious swimming left to do this season with a gala at Salford and the national championships, but we are on the right track.”

Bolton Metro Swim Squad is a high performance squad that has developed swimmers that have attained county, district, national, Commonwealth and Olympic standard . ❚ Bolton Metro are always looking for new supporters and sponsors. Visit http://www.bm swimsquad.org.uk or follow @bmswimsquad on Twitter.