Four Mid Beds swimmers took the national championships by storm. The championships were held throughout the last week of July and the first week of August. Adam Ingledew and Alex Raine competed at the National Age Group Championships, with Kane Farrell al

Four Mid Beds swimmers took the national championships by storm.

The championships were held throughout the last week of July and the first week of August.

Adam Ingledew and Alex Raine competed at the National Age Group Championships, with Kane Farrell also qualifying but unable to compete as he is not yet 11-years-old.

Ingledew kicked off the championships by making the final of the 100m freestyle in a time of 56.69, a personal best by more than a second.

He took two personal bests in the heats of the 200m backstroke and the 200m individual medley before he could start preparing for the final.

Seeded second in the final, he turned in first place in 27.43, and went on to claim the 13 years 100m freestyle crown in 56.04 seconds, just 0.3 outside the British age group record.

His aim is to achieve this before he turns 14 and is out of age!

He achieved three more personal bests and final qualifications in the 100m backstroke (seventh) and 200m freestyle (eighth) respectively.

His times achieved in the 100m and 200m freestyle are inside the qualifying times for next year's championships in the 14 years age group.

Raine managed 16th place in the 1500m freestyle, the most gruelling event on the racing calendar in a personal best by more than six seconds.

He led his heat from the front, just fading in the latter stages of the race to claim a personal best of 18:53.88.

Harriet Brettle and Paul Titley competed at the National Youth Championships. Titley notched up his first swim at the nationals for six years and overcame his nerves putting up a good fight in the 100m backstroke in just outside his personal best.

Brettle finished a creditable 10th place in the 200m backstroke, improving on her 14th place standing from last year in a four-second personal best.

She broke the Bedfordshire junior county record that has stood since 1991 by more than two seconds.

She also swam in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events and finished within three per cent of her personal bests.

Head coach Vix Metcalf was delighted with their results.

She said: "We had six swimmers qualify for the championships (including Lauren Steadman) with four swimmers able to compete.

"All achieved their targets that they had set for the championships, with Adam exceeding all expectations.

"I had expected one final but a gold medal, three finals and a fourth place in the BAGcats (decathlon-type scoring system to find the best all-round swimmer) was outstanding.

"Next year we hope to have 15 swimmers qualify for the national age and youth summer championships, including the 11-14 years male 4x100m freestyle team.

"The whole squad has set its aims as high as they possibly can and with their professional attitude, I hope that they will achieve more than they expect for a third consecutive year.