Becky Turner swam a fantastically controlled race to win the individual free and to secure a place in the individual 200 free and 4x200 free team. Her third place in the 100 free also means she has a place in the 4x100 free team.
Ellie Faulkner's superb swim to finish second in the 800 free means she'll be joining Becky Adlington in July in London and her storming swim in the 200 free means there will be two COSSS swimmers in the 4 x 200 free team.
James Crisp continued his consistently high level of performance in the MC events, finishing 3rd in the 100 back and qualifying for the Paralympics.
Although these three swimmers were the COSSS headline grabbers, the performance of the whole squad was fantastic and there was frequent comment made by commentators on the prominence of COSSS competitors in the semi-finals and finals. In the 34 events entered, COSSS was represented in 22 semi-finals or better! Of the 64 swims, 47 were PBs and 9 Yorkshire records were set! The COSSS Yorkshire record breakers were Becky Turner (50 free, 100 free, 200 free), Ellie Faulkner (400 free, 800 free), Matthew Johnson (400 IM), Lewis Coleman (200 IM), Braxston Timm (100 free) and Lucy Spencer (200 IM).
Finally, many congratulations to Matthew Johnson and Nick Grainger who have both qualified for the European Championships and Joe Faulkner who has been selected to swim for GB in the Open Water Trials in Israel in May.
A delighted Russ Barber said "I am over the moon with how the team have performed at the Trials. Every single one of the team contributed the results last week. I was also so impressed with the way they supported each other, the professionalism they showed and their will to win. It just all came together so well and showed what fantastic athletes they all are. This has been a long 4 years in the making, but it's absolutely been worth it. We can't relax here though; we need to make sure that we keep the foot to the floor for the various summer competitions. I hope the younger swimmers in the club have been inspired by how their teammates swam in London, and I couldn't be more proud that Becky and Ellie join Karen Mellor (Clifton), Alan Rapley, Janko Gojkovic, James Kirton and James Crisp to the City of Sheffield Olympic fold, as it is a real honour.
I'd like to thank Liz and James Kirton for their hard work and support in making last week a success. Thanks also must go to the club for their hard work and constant support, the Senior Elite squad coaches (Dave, Karen, Mike and Mark) and specialists (Andy, Ian, Rich and Matt), and to Sheffield City Council/SIV for paving the way over these many years."
Russ was interviewed by the BBC's Bob Ballard about COSSS swimmers' impressive performances at the Olympic Trials. To listen to Russ, click on the following link:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/704762-russ-barber-city-of-sheffield-swimming-coach
Medallists and finalists
Gold
Becky Turner 200 free
Silver
James Crisp MC 200 IM
Ellie Faulkner 800 free
Bronze
Becky Turner 100 free
Ellie Faulkner 200 free, 400 free
Matthew Johnson 400 IM
James Crisp MC 100 back
4th
Braxston Timm 100 fly
5th
Lucy Spencer 200 IM
Tom Sunter 400 free
Lewis Coleman 200 IM
6th
Becky Turner 50 free
Matthew Johnson 200 fly
7th
Tom Sunter 1500 free
8th
David Gregory 100 back
Semi-finalists:
Laura Whitaker (50 free, 100 free), Braxston Timm (100 free, 200 free), Lewis Coleman (200 free, 200 breast), Matthew Johnson (200 IM), David Gregory (200 back)
Other COSSS competitiors:
Emily Longstone (200 free), Isobel Grant (200 fly), Lucy Spencer (100 free, 400 IM), Hannah Wardle (100 breast, 200 breast) Ryan Wilkinson (MC 50 free, MC 100 free), Matthew Johnson (1500 free) Nick Grainger (400 IM, 1500 free), Joe Faulkner (1500 free), Dan Cocking (400 free, 1500 free), James Crisp MC 50 free
For full results, interviews and video clips and races and interviews, go to:
http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/2012trials/time-qualified-athletes/