Watford Swimming Club athletes win national medals and make finals

The club were delighted to see 11 of their swimmers qualify - nine racing across the two weeks of the British Summer Nationals, followed by the English Summer Nationals. To finish off the season two swimmers then competed in the longer distanced open water events.

It was the first time Raffy May, Ben Taggart, Matt Aldred, Matei Bosianu, Luke Flynn and Victoria Daley has competed at this level, while Lewis Shayler, Joe Coldwell and Ben Green had another opportunity to take on the best in the country.

Meanwhile, Prisha Tapre and Felipe Irvine were Watford’s first-time representatives in the lake.

May finished an excellent meet with three personal bests, a superb silver medal in the English Mens 13/14years 100m Backstroke and nine place in the British 13/14years 200m Backstroke.

Aldred stepped up at his first Nationals and made two finals from four swims, culminating in a superb bronze medal in the English Mens 17years 100m Butterly, recording a PB in both the heats and finals. He also achieved ninth place in the English Mens 17years 200m Butterfly.

The club saw impressive first appearances in national finals for some of their other swimmers.

Daley finished fourth in the English Women’s 15years 50m Butterfly with a new PB. Taggart placed ninth in the English Mens 15years 200m Breaststroke, also with a new PB, while Bosianu came tenth in the English Mens 14years 50m Butterfly.

Tapre and Irvine kept up the club’s fine form in the lake swims.

Tapre finished 11th in the English 12years Mens 2k swim while his club-mate finished 21st in the English 14years Women’s 3k event.

Head coach Matt Paget said: “After two difficult years due to Covid, for the club to return to normality and have such great success on the national stage is a testament to both the swimmers and our coaching team for all their hard work.

“The early starts have been worth it and I am excited for what the 22/ 23 season has to offer.”