A TOTAL of 20 swimmers represented BMSS last weekend at the Northern Counties Distance Age Group Gala at Wigan.

This was the last opportunity for swimmers to either improve existing National Qualifying Times or achieve new ones in swims of 200 to 1500m.

The training schedule for swimmers preparing for the National Championships was put to the test and the swimmers responded well recording 13 National Qualifying Times.

National Qualifying Time Swims: Rebecca Hobson girls 12-year-old 200m backstroke, Lucy Finn girls 14-year-old 400 and 800m freestyle, Hayley Tobin girls 15-year-old 200m breaststroke, Andrew Kilby boys 12-year-old 200m butterfly, 200 and 400m freestyle, Chris Moffatt boys 12-year-old 200m butterfly, Brian Halstead boys 13-year-old 200m butterfly, Karl Holland boys 15-year-old 200m breaststroke, David Jones boys 15-year-old 400m individual medley, Ben Johnson boys 16-year-old 200m and 400m freestyle.

In addition to the National Qualifying Time swims there were 11 event winners and 15 swimmers finishing in the top 3. Event winners: Lucy Finn girls 14-year-old 800m freestyle, Hayley Tobin girls 15-year-old 200m breaststroke, Colette Allen girls 15-year-old 400m individual medley, Andrew Kilby Boys 12-year-old 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m freestyle, Brian Halstead boys 13-year-old 200m butterfly, David Jones boys 400m individual medley, Karl Holland boys 15-year-old 200m breaststroke, Ben Johnson boys 16-year-old 200m butterfly, 200 and 400m freestyle.