When I met Cate!

  

Cate Jackson is a name that I had heard of since I was a very young age, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would meet her one day.  I was told how nice she was and that she was a wonderful swimmer especially when she was beating Guernsey Swimming Club Records as well as Island Records but I never had a face to put to the name, so you can imagine how excited I was when I had a call to ask if she could meet me!  We had a really good chat and she told me about the times when she was swimming and how things have changed over the years, we had a swim together and she even gave me a few tips on my backstroke and I can’t wait until I try them out even though this is not my favourite stroke!

Pictures supplied by Guernsey Press.

Up and Coming

My next competition I’m going to is the Sainsbury’s UK School Games which is held this year in Sheffield this includes 12 sports and over 1600 elite school age athletes including disability events.  This is held from 1^st – 4^th September.  The multi sport event is delivered by youth sports trust and designed to replicate a major championship with opening and closing ceremonies and an athlete’s village.

The swimming will take place at Ponds Forge which I’m pleased about and you can only enter 2 individual events and relays. 

Straight from this I will be off to Isle of Man for the Youth Commonwealths, it’s a shame that this is only short course!

My Summer so far

Since Easter been flat out, up and down the UK, my feet haven’t touched the ground since County Champs.  I have been to Cyprus with ASA England National Talent Team for intense week of training, came back from that straight into South East Summer Champs, I was pleased with my performances, where I medalled in 11 events, 6 golds, and some Island and South East records, and also broke into the magic 8min mark for the 800m freestyle.

Then I did the Manchester Open again where I really enjoyed myself in which I was awarded the best girl for my age group, again I was pleased with my designated races.

Since I was going to participate in the Island Games my coach team decided I should do some races on the short course so I then entered Barracudas Open Meet and this was the end of May, so it gives you a picture how busy I have been since end of Easter and beginning of May, so after this it was quite nice to have a bit of rest before heading off to Isle of Wight.

Then I did my first Island Games where I came away with 13 medals, 6 golds and also 6 Games records.

My first Youth Nationals which was a bit different where I had to swim in heats, semi-finals and finals.  We were pleased with all the results, I medalled in 3 events, 400free, 800free and 200 fly and came away with 10 new Island Records, and also I beat the long standing record in the 200IM since 1984 which was held by Cate Jackson.

I was shocked when I was presented with an award from the ASA/Speedo with a waterproof mp3 player this was in recognition of my performances for the 400free and 800free for last 4 years.

I have also been invited to the ASA National Talent Programme, which includes the best 18 youth girls and 18 boys.

At this time I would like to thank all my sponsors, Rothschild Bank International, Rising Stars, (ASA, Lloyds TSB Local Heroes and Kellogg’s) Fletcher Sports Guernsey.