Toby Tunstall
End of an Era
After some twelve years at the helm our hard-working Hon. Championships Secretary has decided to step down from the role following this year's Swimming and Age Group Championships. There can be little doubt that Toby has almost singlehandedly transformed the County's swimming programme during his tenure of office taking the County to the forefront of the nation's swimming events. His name is also synonymous with leading the County's swim team and in recent years has seen this work rewarded by seeing the Red Rose County win the ASA National County Team Championship for the last six years in a row.
Toby, has not just been a loyal servant of the County, however. During his time at the helm Toby has also been responsible for organising all the ASA and BS national events in the North West of England and particularly at the Manchester Aquatics Centre. Perhaps two of the highlights for him were when his services and expertise were recognised and he was asked to be the Assistant Competition Manager for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and as Competition Manager for the recent World Short Course Championships at the MEN Arena.
Toby will be leaving the area in the summer to move to North Wales and he will be sorely missed not just by the County but by swimming in general. He is pictured above holding the momento presented to him to mark his retirement at the Championships in Manchester in March. Toby - we all wish you well! But most of all - thank you!
Ryan Bennett
Swimmer of the Year 2007
Ryan Bennett (Bolton Metro) was selected as the County’s Swimmer of the Year for 2007. In a fantastic year for the popular and dedicated young man from Chorley 2007 was undoubtedly his best year to date with many highlights which included a silver medal as a member of the British 4 x 100m Freestyle team competing in the European Junior Championships in Antwerp (BEL).
For the last seven years he has been swimming with the Bolton Metro club and during that time has competed for them at the ASA Nationals and he has won sixteen national titles and broken eight British Junior records.
Ryan has been a member of the County swimming team on three occasions and last year was Captain when the team won the ASA National County Team Championship for the sixth time in succession.
He is pictured here having been presented with the trophy at the 2008 Championships but at which he is unable to compete on the second weekend as he has been selected to join the British Senior team which is competing at the European Championships in Eindhoven, Holland.
Commenting on his award, Ryan said: “I am delighted and proud to have been chosen to get this award. With this year being an Olympic year there is an extra drive for me and this has given me an extra push with my training. Also, with the Olympics coming to London in 2012 is a big boost and helps to focus me on my ultimate goal of an Olympic title.”
Congratulations Ryan and good luck! We are all behind you.
British Record for Heather
Heather Frederiksen (City of Salford) set yet another British record when competing at the County’s Championships at the Manchester Aquatics Centre in the Women’s 100m Freestyle (S8).
Going out hard, as is her style, she turned at the 50m mark in 35.70 before coming home in 1:13.22 to set the new record. For Heather, it was a good, solid swim which leads her nicely into the Paralympic Trials at Sheffield in a couple of weeks. She has a busy few weeks ahead of her as she is aiming to gain selection in 7 events in the S8, SB7, and SM8 categories. Heather is realistic about the challenges ahead of her but is confident she has three or four good chances of selection.
Heather is pleased with how her training is going having moved back to the City of Salford to be coached by John Stout for the last three months. She is currently doing 40km per week in training having increased this from 20km during this time.
Heather is hopeful of selection for the British Paralympic team in Beijing in the summer and with her main event being the 400m Freestyle and we certainly wish her well and hope that she realises her dreams there.
LANCASHIRE TEAM MAKE HISTORY AND WIN THE NATIONAL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
FOR THE 6th TIME
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART
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