Alex Highcock has done it :)

Alex has achieved a national qualifying time at the Regional Champs this weekend.

Mary & Alex shorlty after the 200m breaststoke heats

Well done Alex.

As you may know Alex achieved a short course National Qualifying Time (NQT) in the 200m Breaststroke at Blackpool last week, but joy turned to sadness when she found out that only times from level 2 galas or above count.

A nervous week ensued as she had already qualified for the NW Regional Championships (Level 1) which were scheduled for the week after. She would have to do it all over again.

Everyone at the club were willing her on and it must of helped as she breezed into the Nationals with a time of 2:54.82, that's 2.4 secs under the qualifying time of (2:57.22), great job Alex. Not only did she achieve the time she wanted but she qualified 4th fastest in the 12 year old category and would be in the final.

Later that day Alex lined up for the final, this time finishing 4th fastest again but in a quicker time of 2:53.67

This means that Alex Highcock goes into the history books as the first swimmer to swim for Chorley Marlins on the National stage at the tender age of 12.

An overjoyed Head Coach (Mary Parkinson) couldn't contain herself eagerly ringing people to tell them of Alex's achievement, she said excitedly "She's done it! we're off to the Nationals, I'm so excited for her and the club." She then went on to describe how Alex wasn't fazed by the whole thing and that Alex's parents and herself were more excited, and Alex had remained the consummate professional throughout. Well done Alex.

The results from the final are below.