THE North East region’s most talented young swimmers came together at Sunderland Aquatic Centre for the first part of the NER short course Championships.

To compete at regional level is an achievement in itself, and testament to all the hard work and commitment shown by the seven 11-13 year olds from Skipton Swimming Club who gained qualifying times.

Team Skipton were represented by Madison Turner, 13 of West Craven High School, Barnoldswick. Harvey Pennington, 12 of Park High School, Colne. Jack Jenkinson, 11 of Boyle & Petyt School, Beamsley and Will Oliver, 11 of Ermysted’s, Skipton.

The club also had three NER debutants, Zeb Heyes, 13, of St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate. Lily Pratt, 11, of Skipton Girls High School, Skipton and Kaye Fenton, 11, of South Craven High School.

Jack Jenkinson competed in six events and claimed two top-ten positions including a silver medal for the 100m freestyle with a time of 1min 05.72sec.

Will Oliver picked up two top-ten positions and personal bests, coming fourth in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 39.41 and fifth in the 200m breaststroke in 3.06.01.

Both boys achieved this success despite only competing on the first day due to attending the Yorkshire Swimming Association Talent Camp in York on Sunday.

Kaye Fenton swam in five events and picked up three personal best times and a fourth-place finish in 50m freestyle with a time of 30.97 seconds.

Madison gained personal best times in all four of her events. She achieved two top-ten positions, coming fifth in the 200m backstroke with a time of 2.27.68 seconds and ninth in 100m backstroke in 1.10.50.

Lily Pratt improved on her personal best times in the 50m backstroke with 36.87 and 100m backstroke in 1.19.06.

Harvey Pennington qualified for the 100m freestyle and gained a personal best of 1.06.41 and Zeb Heyes clocked a time of 30.42 for the 50m.

The championships resume this weekend with the senior swimmers in action.