Published: 24 May, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

SPEEDSTERS Indigo Mathews and Olivia Willis achieved GB national age group qualifying times as Camden Swiss Cottage Swimming Club heads into the most crucial part of the competitive season.

Indigo, 12, was competing at Crystal Palace in the London Region long course time trials, where she smashed her personal best in the 800m freestyle to win her age group in nine minutes, 39 seconds.

At the same event Peter Schlichter, 14, was second in a new personal best of 18.12.20 in the boys’ 13-14 1500m freestyle.

Olivia, 14, travelled to Sheffield to take part in the Rotherham Metro Spring Long Course Meet, where she won gold in the 200m freestyle in 2.10.11 and double silver in the 100m freestyle (1.00.86) and the 400m individual medley (5.11.51).

All three results were national qualifying times.

Will Rittenhouse, 16, won the boys’ 15-16 100m butterfly in a best of 1.00.23, added silver in the 200m individual medley and double bronze in the 100m backstroke and the 100m freestyle, the latter in a new long course best of 57.14.

And Theo Sopel-Ellis, 14, sprinted to gold in the boys’ 13-14 50m breaststroke with a time of 34.80.

Jessica  Hobbs (right) and Tamir Gonen-Cohen were both triple silver medalists.

Competing in the 17 and over category, Jessica, 18, finished second in the 200m individual medley, the 50m butterfly and the 100m butterfly. She also set a new best in the 50m freestyle of 28.26 to bag a bronze.

Meanwhile Tamir, 15, took her silvers in the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200m freestyle.