Published: 29 January, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

SWIMMERS from Camden Swiss Cottage welcomed new head coach Matt Heathcockfor the Lion in spectacular style with some impressive racing in the Middlesex County Age Group and Youth Championships, which were held at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre.

Among the star performers was Julia Murphy, 12, who swam strongly to pick up seven medals, including gold in the 100m individual medley and 200m breaststroke, silver in the 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley and bronze in the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle. 

Club-mate Anne Tavierne has also enjoyed a great start to the season, powering her way to a brilliant gold in the 200m freestyle in a top-class field. 

The 14-year-old also clinched silver in the 100m and 200m backstroke and 100m freestyle, and a bronze in the 200m breaststroke. 

The gold rush continued with Alexander Borisov, 14, touching home in first place in the 100m individual medley. He also secured silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley. 

In the 16 years and over 200m breaststroke, Maddy Hookway, 16, swam a three-second personal best to claim gold, before taking bronze in the 100m sprint. Isobel Moffat, 17, also shone in the top age group, taking silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 400m individual medley. 

Jonathan Novak, 13, sprinted to a silver in the 100m butter­­fly, while Coco Brink­mann, 13, and Brendan Comyn, 17, bagged bronze medals in the 200m breaststroke.