YEARS of training came to fruition for a record 13 Kendal swimmers who were selected to be part of the Cumbria A.S.A.s team competing in the North West Inter Association Meet at Blackpool.

Elliot Woodburn, James Escolme, Jacob Klijn, Lucy Klijn, Lucy Sargeant, Mathew Foster, Sophie Roberts, Jake Gibson, Joseph Bulman, Mathew Gibson, Kiera Nelson, Max Ainsworth and Alex Walton were all heavily involved in the gala, which pitted them against teams from Liverpool & District, Greater Manchester and north Lancashire.

Woodburn had the greatest success having been selected for five individual events and the medley and freestyle relay teams.

He took wins in the 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke.

His 200m breaststroke time of f 2:36.92 broke one of the Kendal club’s oldest records, which had stood since 1996. The time also took him to the top of the country’s 13-year-olds ranking list for 200 Breaststroke. Woodburn went on to take second place for 200 Backstroke and third for his 200 Butterfly.

Mathew Foster, 11, was selected for six events.

He opened his account with a brilliant 200 Freestyle in 2:51.06 and an eighth place. He also contested the 100 Freestyle (12th), 100 Breaststroke (11th) and Butterfly (11th).

Selected for the Butterfly leg in the Medley Relay he produced an outstanding swim to help the team to fourth place. His all round skill also brought him an eighth place in the 100 Individual Medley.

Lucy Sargeant gave her usual outstanding swims at 100 and 200 Butterfly to earn fourth and fifth places.

James Escolme performed well up to his best times and at 100 Breaststroke he made a supreme effort and stormed through into fourth place before earning sixth place for 200 Butterfly, seventh for 200 Backstroke and eighth in all round Individual Medley.

Jacob Klijn, 14, was also called into action at Butterfly and Backstroke where he gave his usual solid performances. At 100 and 200 Backstroke he took 11th and eighth place while at 100 and 200 Butterfly he snatched 12th and sixth place. He completed his stint with an 11th place for 100 Breaststroke.

His sister Lucy also gave a fine display of Butterfly and Breaststroke. Her 100 and 200 Breaststroke events were immaculate and she finished with respectable results well up to her best times. She gave repeat performances at 100 Butterfly - posting eighth and 11th places. She then put it all together and produced an impressive 200 Individual Medley time of 3:04.60.

Sophie Roberts - 200 Backstroke and 200 Freestyle, Jake Gibson - 100 Freestyle and 200 Backstroke, Kiera Nelson - 100 Freestyle and 200 Individual Medley, Joseph Bulman - 100 Breaststroke and 200 Butterfly all held their own at this level and produced outstanding swims, gaining more valuable points.

Despite getting only one swim each Mathew Gibson - 100 Breaststroke, Max Ainsworth - 100 Butterfly and Alex Walton - 200 Breaststroke made efforts well worth their county badge.

Liverpool & District won the meet, followed by Greater Manchester, north Lancashire then Cumbria.