BUOYANT young swimmers from a Rugby primary school have made waves by qualifying for a national competition.
Zac Jardine, Sophie Gower and Thomas Birkinshaw from Crescent School have made it to the Independent School Association’s (ISA) National Swimming Championships following a regional qualifying event.
The school took a team of 23 pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 to Walsall Baths to compete against 32 schools from across the Midlands.
Zac finished first in the Year 5 Boys 25m Backstroke, Sophie took first in the Year 5 Girls 25m Freestyle, and Thomas finished third in the Year 4 Boys 25m Freestyle.
The trio have been selected to swim for the Midlands team at the ISA National Swimming Championships – Zac in the Year 5 25m Backstroke and the Year 5 Boys Relay, Sophie in the Year 5 25m Freestyle and the Year 5 Girls Relay, and Thomas in the Year 4 Boys Relay.
At the regional qualifying event, pupils from the school also brought home the Year 5 Boys and Year 5 Girls trophies as well as three Gold Medals, two Silver and two Bronze, with Roisin Banks finishing second in the Year 6 Girls 25m Breaststroke and Joshua Jardine taking third place in the Year 4 Boys 25m Backstroke.
The Year 4 Boys and Year 5 Boys Relay teams also placed 1st and 2nd respectively in their races.
The school’s Head of PE and Games Rachel McCollin praised the team’s ‘outstanding attitude’.
She added: “It was an absolutely fabulous day. I was very pleased with our results. The children well and truly rose to the challenge of our ‘little school big ambitions’ motto.
“We wish Zac, Sophie and Thomas the very best of luck in the National Finals.”
The ISA National Swimming Championships take place on Friday December 1 at the London Aquatics Centre.
