2009 NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS: day one report

Day one started well. Hayley Williams (15) and Sophie Allen (17) both swam well in the 100 Freestyle earning Hayley a place in today's 14/15 years semi-final and Sophie a reserve finalist position in the 16/17 age group.

The boys 400 freestyle event was a resounding success for Vulcans swimmers - all swimming in separate heats. First of all Charlie Bitowt produced a 2 second personal best time, then Will Jolly followed with a 4 second PB and Jack Burnell with a 5 second PB - also earning himself a place in tonight's 15/16 years final with an impressive 4.05.47.

In the girls 400 IM Grace Conlon, Mollie Temple and Sophie Allen were all in action. Grace was slightly off her personal best time today but Mollie swam within 0.1 of her PB of 5.04.65 taking a reserve finalist place for tonight while Sophie Allen swam a well-controlled 4.54 to take her place in tonight's 16/17 year's final this evening as 3rd seed.

In the girls 100 breaststroke Hayley Williams swam a new PB of 1.15.65 to take her place in her second 14/15 years semi-final this evening while team mate Sophie Allen followed suit with a 1.12.99 earning a place in the 16/17 year's semi-final.

In the girls 200m backstroke, Mollie Temple swam a confident 2.23.08 - a new PB by almost one and a half seconds, ranking her 7th amongst the 14 years olds.

In the girls 100 free semi final Hayley Williams battled to secure a Reserve Finalist position for tomorrows final by taking the 12th position overall.

In the girls 100 Breast semi final Hayley swam near her new PB with a 1.16.73 and Sophie came in on a respectable 1.13.78 - saving herself for the 400 IM to follow.

Jack Burnell attacked the 400 freestyle final taking 6th place overall with a further two second PB over this morning's heat to finish in an amazing 4.03.91.

And finally the Girls 400 IM finals arrived. Mollie was able to take up her reserve finalist position in the 14/15 final and swam another impressive 5.04 ranking herself as the 4th fastest 14 year old in the final.

The day was firmly rounded off in style when Sophie put up an outstanding fight to take the silver medal in a lifetime best time of 4.48.65.

A very exciting start to the Championships - congratulations to all our swimmers!