Back row (seniors), left to right: James Jurkiewicz, Jacob Cherry, Stewart Hume, Adrian Aplin and Joshua Lewis. Front (intermediates): Luke Belton, Olly Nightingale, Jo Ogier and David Hall. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0912301)

THREE teams from Guernsey have claimed highly prized top-16 qualifying positions and will compete in this weekend’s English Schools National Relay finals.

All the local high schools plus the Colleges and Grammar took part in the Guernsey heats at Beau Sejour in which teams of four swim time trials in freestyle and medley events.

These times are then submitted to regional and then national competitions to see how they compare with other schools from all over England.

‘Hundreds of schools enter and it is truly remarkable to see how the standard of swimming on the island compares to other regions from all over the UK,’ said Brian Allen from Elizabeth College.

Following the regional heats, the top 16 schools from all over England are invited to travel to the UK for a national final. This year the event is to be held in the 50m Olympic pool at Coventry.

The teams that have qualified include the youngsters of the Grammar School junior boys team – Luke Winberg, Miles Munro, William Mansell and Jay Mason – which looks good for the future. It is so good to see the Grammar again reaching this highest level.

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