Hollingsworth claims bronze medal

TOM HOLLINGSWORTH has won a national age group bronze medal. On the final day of the Swimfit ASA Common-wealth Games trials and Youth Championships, the Beau Sejour Barracuda clocked 59.69sec. at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, to finished third overall in the 17-18-years category.

It completed a marvellous meet for the 17-year-old, which saw him achieve three Commonwealth Games qualifying times, in the 100m backstroke and the 100 and 200 butterfly. The time for the latter event was also an island long-course record.

Meanwhile, clubmate Ian Powell came away with four Commonwealth Games qualifying times - in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke and 100m butterfly - and three island records.

He placed 10th in his last final, the 100m backstroke, yesterday.

Gail Strobridge, representing City of Southampton on this occasion, clocked a Common-wealth qualifying time in the 400m individual medley and came within one second of Cate Jackson's long-standing 200m freestyle island record.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Osborne set three new personal bests and at the tender age of 15, was only three hundredths off Sean Rowe-Hagans' island 100m freestyle record.

'Jeremy really enjoyed the experience of getting into the youth programme,' said Barracudas coach Alison Frankland.

'I was really concerned about the Island Games coming before this meet, but overall the swimmers all performed really well.

'You have to remember that Jeremy and Tom are at the bottom of their age group and next year I expect them to do even better. There will be no Island Games beforehand and they are looking forward to it.'