City Swimmers take medals
in Scottish Nationals.

City of Sunderland ASC swimmers Eleni Papadopoulos and Matthew Wylie represented the club at the recent Scottish Nationals, held at Tollcross, Glasgow. Both swimmers reached the finals in all of their events and brought home an impressive haul of medals.

Seventeen year old Eleni, who is a member of both the World Class Development Programme and the North East Regional Squad as well as being an ambassador for the 2012 Paralympics’ potential programme, won the gold medal in the 100m butterfly event and silver in the 200m individual medley.

Thirteen year old Matthew, who is a member of the North East Regional Disability Squad and the World Class Talent Programme, took the silver medal in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 100m backstroke with a new personal best time.

Head Coach Alastair Johnson said, ‘Once again Eleni and Matthew have performed really well on a national stage. Well done to them both.’ 

A squad of five athletes from the City of Sunderland ASC showcased their talents in the open water of the QE2 Country Park in Ashington,  Northumberland, in the recent Northumberland Swim Challenge.

Leading the way in the women’s event was fifteen year old Alex Robinson - the indoor ASA National Youth Championship 1500m Freestyle silver medallist - showing her versatility to take the gold medal in the open water. Alex was closely followed by team mate and fellow indoor National Finalist Danielle Huskinson (17) who claimed the silver medal, while Jennifer Tatters took eighth place with an impressive return to form in the open water.

Not to be outdone, the City of Sunderland’s men also dominated the podium placings. Sixteen year old Matthew Bell – a newcomer to open water swimming - outclassed the field to claim the gold by a huge margin of 30seconds, while seventeen year old sprint specialist Liam Bosworth displayed his versatility by taking the bronze in the distance event.

Coach Danny Thompson said, ‘The athletes performed really well in the open water. They now shift their focus back to the pool as they prepare for the ASA National Championships in late July before going on to test themselves in the Open Water again at the North East Regional Championships to be held at Stockton’s Quayside on the banks of the River Tees.’

City of Sunderland ASC swimmer Kathryn Woolston-Thomas - winner of the 2009 Sunderland Sports Awards Young Sports Personality of the Year - has been selected to compete on behalf of England at the 2010 Sainsbury’s UK School Games hosted this year by the North East.

Fifteen year old Kathryn is the latest local athlete to have been confirmed to compete at this year’s games and she is really looking forward to the experience.

“I’m really pleased and excited to be chosen to represent England North in a National competition. My training is going well at the moment, however, I would normally have a summer break when my training schedule is reduced so I will have to discuss with my coach how to keep in good shape for the competition in September. Hopefully I will be able to compete at a high standard and help England North to win as many medals as possible.”

Although it is Kathryn’s first selection for the Games she is no stranger to competition. She has competed for Great Britain in the European Youth Olympics last year where she took one silver and two bronze medals.  The experience Kathryn has with this sort of competition will no doubt stand her in good stead for this year’s Games.

“Having represented Great Britain at the European Youth Olympics in Finland in 2009 I know the fantastic atmosphere that happens when several sports come together to compete. I am looking forward to the Sainsbury’s UK School Games opening ceremony, meeting the other athletes and experiencing a mini-Olympic weekend.”

Head Coach Alastair Johnson said "I am delighted that Kathryn has been selected to compete at the UK School Games. She is a great competitor and will look to race well particularly as she will enjoy home advantage. The UK School Games are a fantastic event to be part of because of the opportunity to represent the region and bring prestige to your school and club."