JESSICA Gallimore reached a qualifying standard for the national championships while racing in Winsford Swim Team colours at the City of Derby Meet in Sheffield.

The 18-year-old timed 31.14s in the 50m open girls’ backstroke race at Ponds Forge, following that with personal best performances for the same stroke over 100m, plus the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Teammate Callum Chapple, 17, lowered his previous best in the 50m butterfly while 17-year-old Alexander Law did the same in the 200m freestyle as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly.

Winsford’s success continued with 16-year-old Oliver Rose, improving on his lifetime best performances in the 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Brandon Sharkey, the youngest of Winsford’s five-strong contingent at 15, was rewarded for his efforts in the pool with new best markers in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, plus the 200m freestyle.

Head coach Dave Pettengell said: “This is a tough meeting, attended by some of the best swimmers in the country.

“The objective for us was not to win medals, which is a bonus, but to achieve personal bests or better still a national qualifying time.

“I was impressed with how my swimmers supported each other; it was a good weekend.”