Ulverston Otters concluded their Long Course season at National level with a host of medals in Sheffield.

Alix Knagg and Nicola Capstick both took part in the British National Championships with Knagg competing in the 200m Backstroke and Capstick in the 50m Backstroke.

Knagg put in a strong effort and found herself in a mix of swimmers all working hard with times within a second of each other. Her 50 split had her right amongst the leaders and at the halfway turn she was still challenging for honours. Her second 100 however saw her rivals move ahead and in a typical burst for the finish she snatched 12th place in the 17/18 age group in a time of 2:19.78.

Capstick in the 100 Backstroke heats gave a remarkable performance with a brilliant swim and out of her turn made a supreme effort to hit the finish in 8th and a place in a National Final. Not content with that, she went even better in the Final. Her start and transition put her right in the top three and the pace was intense. Staying composed and refusing to panic she took on the last 50 in a storming finish and with a lifetime best hit the pads in 1:07.95 and 6th place. But then it got better for the Otters as Knagg also took on the 100 Backstroke. She too got a great start and quickly settled into her stroke pattern and challenged for honours. A brilliant turn and transition kept her in the hunt and driving hard for the finish hit the wall in 3rd place with a time of 1:05.56 and Otters had another National Finalist. In the 17/18 age group final Knagg had a real battle on her hands and right from the start the pace was relentless. Still Knagg was in great form and as usual from the start began to attack. Out of her turn and transition she began to wind it up and in another blanket finish she came joint 5th in 1:05.49.

Tom Robinson was also competing in Sheffield and opened his account with a respectable 14th place in the 200m Butterfly. Then he turned to the 50m Backstroke and his sprinting talent quickly came to the fore. Off to a superb start he too was to use his powerful stroke rate to take him in and out of an immaculate turn. He then moved up a gear and snatched 9th place which gave him that coveted place in another National Final.