National Championship Success for Isaac and Jack - Report

Tuesday, 03 August 2010 12:38

Last week saw Great Yarmouth Swimming Club's Isaac Kirby and Jack Utting travelling to Sheffield's Ponds Forge, to take part in their first British Gas National Age Group Championships.

The event attracts the very best in competitive swimming from across the UK, and to qualify for this is an achievement in it's own right, with only the fastest making the cut off times required.

Jack was ready for the challenge on day one and despite being the youngest competitor in the 13 years age group, was not going to let this deter him, with a good qualifying heat in the 100mtrs Backstroke sending him to the evening's finals in 6th place. The final was to produce a fantastic swim with Jack not only holding second place at the turn, but coming back to challenge the leader in the closing 10 meters to take the silver medal.

Day three saw Jack again qualify for the 200mtr Backstroke but this time, go through to the final in 2nd position. The final was a tense one with one swimmer making a break for it from the off, but jack went with the pursuing group and by the final turn had closed the lead back down and the race was open. Jack swam another personal best time to touch into the Bronze position less than a second behind the winner.

Isaac swam on day four with the 12 years 100 mtr Breastroke, and was in amazing form smashing his own entry time and personal best by two seconds, putting him into the final as the fastest qualifier. The evening saw Isaac produce an inspiring swim taking the lead in the first ten meters and slowly stretching this out. The Gold medal was never in doubt with the other swimmers left to fight for the remaining places.

Both boy's will now take a well earned rest before returning to training for their next trip to Sheffield in October when they will be joining the Norfolk team in the National County Team Championships with Great Yarmouth head coach, Garry Jarvis as County team manager.