First National Times for Neve

In her first event of the meet, Neve swam the 100m freestyle, chasing her first ever National Qualification Time of 1.00.92 and just missed out, finishing fifth in her age group in a time of 1.02.00.

Her second event was the 400m freestyle and the required time was 4.37.79.

Neve set off fast in the race and maintained the momentum to smash the qualification time by nearly three seconds, finishing in the gold medal position in a time of 4.34.97.

Neve was clearly shattered at the finish, but once she realised she had achieved her first ever National time was delighted.

Reality then kicked in and Neve knew that she had to prepare for her final race of the meet, the 200m freestyle where she needed 2.11.36 to qualify for the National Championships.

Once again the Ravenshead teenager delivered a personal best time to obtain her second National qualifying time and win the gold medal in a time of 2.10.80.

Neve continues to rapidly improve her performances.

She never made it on to the elite Mansfield Nova Development Squad, usually swimmers join this aged nine or 10, but forced her way directly onto the Mansfield Nova B squad at the age of 12 when whilst swimming for Sutton SC.

She was securing times on or about Midland Qualification Times.

Neve is now preparing to join the Mansfield Nova A squad and, with two National Qualification Times in the bag already, will be full of confidence for the Midland Championships that will take place in Coventry during June.

Other Sutton swimmers winning medals at the Rotherham Open Meet were Chloe Quinn (11) and Mia Fergie (12).

Mia Fergie won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly event in a time of 1.10.96 and Chloe Quinn won the bronze medal in a time of 1.18.85 in the 100m butterfly in their respective age groups.

Mia also finished fifth in the 200m medley (2.38.31) and 10th in the 100m breaststroke (1.27.92).

Chloe also finished ninth in the 100m freestyle (1.10.98) and 12th in the 100m backstroke (1.22.30).

The remaining Sutton swimmers were Jim Fergie (12) and Lauren Quinn (15).

Jim finished seventh in the 100m butterfly (1.14.42), ninth in the 200m breaststroke (3.08.02) and 16th in the 100m backstroke (1.19.84).

Lauren finished 20th in the 100m freestyle (1.03.77), 11th in the 100m backstroke (1.11.23), 23rd in the 50m freestyle (30.09) and eighth in the 200m backstroke (2.29.14).