Teenage swimmer aims to make a splash at event

The 14-year-old is the latest contender in the Best of Hartlepool competition after a year where she collected a string of medals.

But even better things could be on the way for the English Martyrs student, who hopes to go to the Olympic trials, in Glasgow, in April, and has been selected to swim for the Great Britain Catholic Schools team in a competition in France in July.

Proud dad Andrew, 48, said: “Katie is hard-working and really dedicated to her chosen sport ,swimming. She trains six days a week including four mornings getting up at 5 am.”

Her dedication has helped her to land a string of titles in the last year.

The Hartlepool Swimming Club member won gold in the 50 metres backstroke at the county championships, was a multiple finalist at the ASANER regional long course championships in Sheffield, and won a silver and four bronze medals at the FISEC Games in Malta.

Other highlights included gold in the 100 metres freestyle and bronze in the 200 metres freestyle and 50 metres backstroke at the ASA Summer Nationals in Sheffield.

Katie’s older brother Joseph, 21, and her parents Christine, 46 – an NHS radiographer – and Andrew, a postman, have all swam competitively.

The Best of Hartlepool awards are held in association with Niramax, and Specsavers, Stagecoach North East and Hart Biologicals are category sponsors.

The deadline for entries in the competition is Saturday, April 2. After that, judges will draw up a shortlist. The grand finale is at the Hardwick Hall Hotel on Tuesday, April 26.

To nominate, send your name, address and telephone number, the name of the business or person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known).

State which category your nomination applies to (from the list of categories) and provide a description of the reasons for your nomination (no more than 300 words)

Post your nomination to: Nicola Meldrum, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA alternatively email [email protected] or [email protected]