KENDAL swimmers have been scattered to various venues recently to compete in bids to further their careers – with ten of the club’s top swimmers looking for qualifying times at the City of Sunderland's long course pool open meet.

First away was Thomas Klijn, taking on the gruelling 1500m freestyle and setting himself a pace on which to build on length by length. But despite a fantastic effort which saw him set a new club record of 19:26.46, he just missed out on the elusive Q/T.

However, he went on to swim in the 400 individual medley and set a mark of 5:27.62 to earn another club record and that elusive Q/T.

His brother Jacob was also on a similar quest, testing his skills in a number of events and giving an outstanding performance in the 200 breaststroke, where his powerful stroke pattern got him into 11th place with a time of 3:04.23 to book his place at regional level.

Twelve-year-old James Escombe was also on top form and got some great results from his swims. His best was a brilliant third place in the 50 breaststroke, where he worked hard and was just touched out of the top two places in a storming finish.

Apart from 50 backstroke he was never out of the top ten in his races, gaining the times he was looking for in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle with performances that saw him qualify in both events.

The girls also had their moments, especially 14-year-old Lucy Sargeant, who was over the moon with her time of 32.96 for 50 butterfly – well inside the Q/T she had been desperately seeking.

Breaststroke swimmer Megan Jones was also in superb form to come away with her times in the 50 and 100 events plus the 200 Individual Medley.

Josie Johnson also had some fine results, holding herself together to qualify in 50 butterfly and 100 and 200 backstroke, while other fine swims came from Ben Cudby, Bethan Rowley and Alice Eastwood all of whom bettered their entry times.

Meanwhile, Elliot Woodburn travelled to Crawley as part of the North West Team competing in the National Inter Divisional Championships. He swam in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, finishing fourth in both – and his time of 1:14.55 for the 100 set new club and Cumbria records while his 2:44.30 for the 200 was a PB and another club record.

Selected to swim the breaststroke leg in the medley relay, he came up with a dazzling swim to help the team power into the silver medal spot.

n The Club has also received the news that nine swimmers have been selected to attend the England talent county pathway training programme, aimed at young swimmers with the potential to improve.

Joseph Bulman, Mathew Foster, Jake Gibson, Mathew Gibson, Chloe Westmorland, Tia Doherty, Abigail Greenwood, Evelyn Atkinson and Reece Kinley all received invitations to attend the first session being held at Kendal.