Libby's in synch for England

It’s been a while since we caught up with Libby so we thought we’d have an update on her progress:

Synchronised swimmer Libby is determined to celebrate a hat-trick of years on the England Talent Squad.

Year 10  pupil, Libby, has already enjoyed two years on the national camp in the 13-15 age category and has trials for 2019 this weekend.

Libby, who trains with the City of Salford, has already had a medal-winning few months.

She was recently crowned a four-times North West champion in figures, solo, duet and team events in Manchester.

She also competed in the Scottish National in Glasgow where her team Salford won, she was second in duet, third in figures and fourth in solo.

“I also competed in the junior trials for England and was first in strength but it was against girls who were 20-years-old so I am staying with my age group at the moment,” said Libby.

Libby had a big event, the National Championships, in Gloucester last weekend.  “I had sinusitis and was ill last year for these championships. I was disappointed to finish 19th so I hoped to improve on that this year.”  And she did, finishing 9th in her age group out of 150 swimmers this time. There were four older swimmers who came above her so she was fifth for her age. Libby also won a bronze medal with her partner in the duet and her team finished fourth, just missing out on a medal by 0.2 pts.

Libby’s dad commented, “Based on her individual performance both us and her coach felt her performance deserved much better than ninth and she was very unlucky with the scoring. Libby performed the best she could under what are very pressurised circumstances, and we are really proud of her.”

Her performances have meant Libby has again been invited to attend the England trials in Bristol this weekend as she looks to be selected for the England Talent Squad.  “The Talent Squad is great as we have week-long camps in Aldershot and we would also compete in places like Slovakia and Croatia next year so I would love to do that.”

Libby trains every day, sometimes twice a day.  “I really enjoy it.”

House Progress Leader, Mrs Gutteridge, also praised Libby saying, “She is doing exceptionally well and is still continuing to work really hard in school”.