City of Bradford’s swimmers returned with renewed enthusiasm earlier this month to test their racing fitness for the first time since the summer break at the Yorkshire Swimming Association’s Winter Championships.
They were held over consecutive weekends at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds and Sheffield’s Ponds Forge, two of the premier swimming venues in the North of England.
Technically, the two meets marked the start of a new season, with optimism high that be a rewarding few months lie ahead.
And that appears like it could be the case, with three swimmers on the medal rostrum over those two weekends.
Swimming in the 15 years and over events, it was Gina Warrior who claimed a gold medal in the 50m backstroke and silver in the 100m event.
Her times of 28.91 and 1.03.24 respectively were club records in the both the 17/18 years and Open categories and also Swim England Winter Nationals Qualifying Times.
Gina Warrior was her usual brilliant self at the Yorkshire Swimming Association Winter Championships and was the only City of Bradford swimmer to claim a gold medal. (Image: UGC.)
Also placing in the silver medal position was Jasmine Shay, in both the 15 years and over 50m and 100m butterfly.
Her respective times were 29.41 and 1.05.57, She also finished seventh in the 50m freestyle
Kai Mayers was the only other medallist, when he claimed bronze in the boys 13/14 years 50m freestyle in a time of 25.88.
He did however go on to claim five other top ten finishes in the 50m butterfly, 50m and 100m breaststroke, 50m backstroke and 200m individual medley.
Other top ten finishers were Sophia Gledhill (3), Amy Hagyard (2), Ben Artis (2), Una O’Carroll (2), Alex Dunn (1), Isabelle Randhawa (1) and Maisie Ray (1).
Finally, Dawid Naglik had two top 20 finishes to round off a great Winter Championships for City’s swimmers.
Both of his swims were new Swim England Winter Qualifying Times.
All swimmers train on the Bradford Aquatics Competition programme under the guidance of coaches Andy Pearce and Sarah Fisher.
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