James Wilson Reaches National Swimming Finals

At the 2009 British Gas National Age Group Championships which were held at the Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield between 22nd & 26th July Ellesmere College Titan swimmer James Wilson, age 11, was a finalist in both the 100m and 200m freestyle events.

Competing against the best young swimmers in the UK, as well as some from overseas, James came 6th in the 100m freestyle in a new personal best and Titan age group club record time of 1:04.10. He then bettered this in the 200m freestyle finishing 5th in a time of 2:17.53.

Also swimming at the National Championships was fellow Titan Alfie Pardoe, age 11, who despite suffering from a hernia, swum his way to a personal best and age group club record time of 1:16.74 in the 100m backstroke.

Alfie and James were two of only four Shropshire swimmers to qualify for this years National Age Group Championships – the other two swimmers being Daniel Jones from Oswestry Otters and Christina Jones from Northgate Swimming Club.

Titan head coach Jon Pardoe commented “I’m exceedingly proud of both James and Alfie. In the 200m freestyle James showed real courage to take the swim out fast - leading at the 50m mark. It was one of the most exciting swims I’ve seen all year.

Whilst not reaching the finals of his events Alfie showed incredible determination to swim a personal best despite his injury.”