THREE swimmers from Waltham Forest Swimming Club Gator qualified for the British Championships held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, in April.

Dane McKnight and Allen Lindenberg, both 17, along with Rachel Leong, 14, all achieved the difficult qualifying times to enable them to compete in the competition, which attracted the very best that British swimming has to offer.

Each event was open, which meant that not only were the swimmers racing against their own age group but also against much older competitors. Even so, they once again showed what they were made of with a series of excellent swims.

McKnight finished 22nd in the 400m freestyle, 25th in the 100m freestyle and 30th in the 200m freestyle.

Lindenberg also put in a fine performance to take 16th in the 1500m freestyle, while Leong finished 24th in the 100m butterfly.

Coach Mike Bush was extremely pleased with the performances of his swimmers, saying: "Once again our swimmers have done themselves, the club and the borough proud."

Gators swimmer Jayke Arkell, meanwhile, travelled to Swansea to take part in the Welsh National Age Group Championships.

Arkell had to compete in the 14-year age group but nevertheless produced a number of excellent performances and achieved personal bests in all his events.

He claimed silver in the 800m freestyle and produced equally impressive performances in the 1500m and 400m freestyle events, where he finished fourth and sixth respectively.

In the 400m individual medley he also finished sixth, while also finishing just outside the medals in the 200m and 100m backstroke with ninth and 12th placings respectively.

In the 200m individual medley he produced a tenth-place finish, and in the 200m and 100m breaststroke Jayke finished 11th and 15th.

Bush added: "It is always hard competing away from home, and even harder when you have no team-mates with you, but Jayke performed extremely well during the whole competition.

"Like all our swimmers, Jayke puts in a lot of training each week and is dedicated to his sport.

"His achievements at the Welsh Nationals are the result of this dedication."