Stour quartet make a splash (From Halesowen News)

Stour quartet make a splash

2:41pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Local Sport

STOURBRIDGE swimmers sparkled when the English Schools staged their trials for the Secondary School Team Championships.
The quartet of Becky Bradley, Nat Dingley, Lucy Furnell and Megan Dudley contested the West Midlands Division where they lined up in both the medlay and freestyle relays.

All four girls, who are from Thorns School and Community College in Quarry Bank excelled to book their place in the National Finals which take place in Coventry on November 24.
The Stourbridge side finished 10th overall in the medlay and 15th at freestyle from over 150 schools taking part.
They now face the cream of English swimming talent, taking on such sides as Plymouth College, Millfield School and Kelly College, all dedicated swimming schools who are packed full of internationals.

Stourbridge had six more members competing through Tom Asprey, Becki Cole, Ellie Lord, Sam Tromans, Lauren Sanders and Hannah Williams, who all attend King Edwards VI College and were competing in school years 12 and 13.
The girls freestyle team destroyed the opposition with the A side finishing first and the B team second.
They almost repeated that success in the medlay relay where the A side came home a staggering 13 seconds clear of Stratford upon Avon Grammar School with Stourbridge’s B team snapping at their heels for third place.
The Boys A team also won bnoth the medlay and freestyle relays while the B side finished fifth and seventh.
It leaves the girls freestyle side ranked third in the country overall and fourth in the medlay, while the boys team are rated a creditable ninth.
Stourbridge head coach Stew Nicklin described the results as a fantastic achievement.
He said: “It shows the exceptional standard within the club for them to reach National Finals.
“The entry times are really close, so we should see some exciting finishes on the day.”
Stourbridge Swimming Club are actively recruiting for new members at the moment.
They should be aged six or over and can obtain more details from Nicklin on 07834 689178.