Ivo secures double silver in regionals
5:30pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
IVO Mandradzhiyski was the most successful competitor for Worcester Swimming Club at the Midland Youth Championships.
Although a little short of his personal best times, the University of Worcester student collected silver medals in the 200-metre butterfly and 200m freestyle in the 19 and over age group.
Mandradzhiyski was particularly impressive in the freestyle, bouncing back strongly in the final after a disappointing heat swim.
Twelve swimmers from the club competed at the championships for girls aged 14 and over and boys 15 and over.
The standard was high with five Great Britain internationals, including the new world record holder for the 800m freestyle.
Despite this, the club made a big impact with the swimmers making 21 finals and winning six medals.
Students Sergey Mandradzhiyski, who was third in the 17/18 age group 200m backstroke, and Joel Smith swam well.
Smith, swimming for home club Kettering, came fourth in the 50m freestyle, a mere 0.08 seconds away from a medal.
In the girls' events, Worcester swimmers proved hugely successful with Chloe Naughton leading the way.
In the 18 and over age group, she reached four finals, winning a well-deserved silver medal in the 400m freestyle. Team-mates Dominique Allen and Danielle Hunt also made multiple finals and collected silver medals.
Allen was second in the 50m breaststroke and Hunt runner-up in the 50m backstroke, just 0.28 seconds off her first senior national qualifying time.
The 16/17 girls' age group was extremely competitive with a high-class field in each event.
Katherine Rollins rose to the challenge, though, maintaining her excellent run of form and achieving a string of personal best times.
While narrowly missing the 200m individual medley final, she did secure impressive top-eight finishes in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke. Other finalists were Poppy Bramford in the 14/15 50m breaststroke, Felicity Hunter in the 16/17 200m breaststroke and Gabrielle Allen in the 18 and over 50m breaststroke.
Head coach Mark Stowe said: "From a club perspective, it was great to see 11 swimmers make finals and really start to put Worcester Swimming Club on the map.
"However, I was particularly delighted for Chloe, Dominque and Danielle who won their first ever medals at the district championships which was reward for all their hard work."
Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Stowe at coach@worcester.co.uk or by ringing 07986-749401.