Swimmers set for Sheffield (From Western Telegraph)

Swimmers set for Sheffield

10:00am Friday 27th January 2012 in Sport

TWO pupils from Ysgol Y Preseli have qualified for the British National Age Group Championships in Sheffield.

Carys Thomas and Kelsey Williams will both compete in the prestigious event in Sheffield this July.

Both girls made the qualifying standard at a recent event in Portsmouth, and the Welsh Winter Championships in Swansea.

Carys, 14, is a member of Pembroke and District Swimming Club. She will compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m individual medley, and also the 800m freestyle.

Carys was taught to swim at a young age by Jolene Wheeler at Milford Haven Leisure Centre, and had school swimming lessons from Trina Bowen (Pembroke school swimming co-ordinator) at Pembroke Leisure Centre.

Kelsey meanwhile, will compete in the 100m breaststroke.

The 13-year-old learnt to swim at Haverfordwest Swimming Pool and developed her talent at Haverfordwest Seals.

Both are now members of the Pembrokeshire County Performance squad, and are trained by swimming development coach Paul Dowey.

For both girls, it will be their third national age group championships.

Councillor Rob Lewis, cabinet member for cultural services, sports, leisure and tourism, was full of praise for the performance of the pair.

“They have both excelled themselves,” he said.