TORNADOES of South Dorset took a group of age group swimmers to the South West Regional Championships.

The qualifiers that represented the club at the meet were Charlie Rowe, Bethany Firth, Jessica Gale, Ellie Wilcox, Abigail Barnes, Eve Hewett, and Freya Stanger.

They shared 21 events between them, for some this was their first regional competition and for others it was a welcome return to regional meets.

The event was held over the two weekends, the first at Hengrove in Bristol and the second at Millfield.

Rowe 11, was at his first regionals and was the busiest swimmer with a staggering seven events in total, he was in a double age band from 11-12 but in the 11-year age group he managed several top three places, with some strong performances.

This led to him being selected to attend the regional talent camp as well as the county camp later this year.

Firth, 12, also at her first regional event, qualified for 50-metre and 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

She gave a very good account of herself with three long course personal best times, with her best in the 50m freestyle where she climbed more than 20 places up the rankings with a very good freestyle sprint.

Gale, 13, had qualified for the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, she finished the event with a very well executed six-second long course personal best in the 200m backstroke.

Barnes, 13, had qualified for 100m backstroke as well as the 50m 100m and 200m butterfly.

She produced personal best times in both the 50m and 200m butterfly, and was only just outside her entry time in the 100m events.

Wilcox, 13, had qualified for 50m backstroke and 400m freestyle.

She recorded long course personal best times in both events.

Hewett, 14, made a welcome return to regional level with the 50m backstroke, where she swam a good personal best long course time.

Stanger, 14, also returned to regionals with 100m backstroke.

Her smooth and efficient style also saw her achieve a good long course personal best.

Head coach Chris Beal was pleased with the performances from the young Tornadoes’ swimmers.

A 72 per cent personal best success rate from the club is good at this level, and it was impressive to see every swimmer take a personal best away with them, plus the experience of racing the region’s very best swimmers.