A TEENAGER has earned the right to race her peers at national level as a reward for her performances in the pool.

Alisha Hawkins, of Winsford Amateur Swimming Club, reached the qualifying standard in the under 13s girls’ 800m and 400m freestyle during the North West Region Age Group Championships.

The 13-year-old won a bronze medal over the longer distance after timing 9:37.72.

She clocked 4:39.53 in the heats for the 400m, finishing sixth in the final, while narrowly missing out on a medal after placing fourth for the same stroke over 200m at Manchester.

“Alisha has had a brilliant year,” said coach Dan Goodwin.

“She’s dedicated and works hard to reach her goal, which has paid off.”

Winsford’s Nick Law claimed a bronze medal in the under 14s boys’ 100m freestyle, while Adam Blackshaw claimed two gongs – a silver and bronze – in the under 14s boys’ 200m and 100m butterfly respectively.

Blackshaw was a tenth of a second short of a national qualifying time in the 200m, just a hundredth in the shorter distance.

Goodwin said: “Both boys showed maturity. Even though they missed out on a qualifying time, their attitude remained first class.”

Blackshaw and Law joined Jamie Young and Jacob Robson in the under 14s boys’ team that was sixth fastest overall in the 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle relays.

Olivia Capper, Eleanor O’Grady and Izzy Burton completed an under 14s girls’ quartet, along with Hawkins, that was eighth in the 4x100m freestyle.

Winsford sent 21 swimmers to the event, spread over four sessions at the Aquatics Centre.

Goodwin added: “Every single one can take a lot from the championships. Our entry was up more than 200 per cent on last year, proving we’re developing strength in depth.”

Rebecca Broadhurst represented Northwich in the under 14s girls’ backstroke.