Royal Tunbridge Wells Monson Swimming Clubs’ (Monson) Annabelle Guye-Johnson (14 years) continued the work started at the ASA National Age Group Championships by lowering her own Kent County ASA Junior 50m Breaststroke Record again at the ASA National Youth Championships, also at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, the following week.

Competing in the open age group this time Annabelle shaved another two tenths of a second of her PB to record 34.09 and finish a very creditable 41^st in the senior ranks out of 140 competitors. Savanna Jemmett (15 years) also competed the Backstroke events.

Meanwhile team mate George Hinton (15 years) was competing in Swansea at the Welsh Summer Nationals and found the going tough being one of the youngest in the 15/16 year old double age group. An un-phased George gave an excellent account of himself despite his age disadvantage finishing 4^th in the final of both the 50m Freestyle and Backstroke.

Monson member Sophia Lambert (11 years) was also in action during this period representing the Great Ormand Street Hospital (GOSH) at this year’s British Transplant Games in Bolton. Sophia, who underwent a heart transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) at just four months old, was there to represent Team GOSH.

Now 11 years old, Sophia has just competed in her third year at the British Transplant Games, which took place from 7-10 August and this year took home a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke. “There were some really good swimmers in her group, so it was great that she came in third,” said her father Nick, “we’re really proud. We stayed with the team so it was good to see some of the other people taking part that we’ve met through the Games. It’s a fun day out and there’s a great atmosphere”.

Monson start the new season at home on the 6^th September with round II of the Kent Junior League.