9:32am Thursday 10th July 2008
HEREFORD swimmer Taylor Whitchurch has qualified for five events at the British Age Group Nationals.
The 12-year-old is a county and district gold medallist and is ranked top-eight in four of the events for which he has qualified.
City of Hereford Swimming Club chief coach, Matt Puddy, said: “Taylor has taken time out to think about his strokes this season.
“He is technically much better, pays attention in training and participates in a full programme.
“Taylor will train between 12 and 14 hours each week and I would like to think that more swimmers will follow his example next season.”
This time last year, Taylor was a county medallist and ranked 16th in the Midland District.
He said: “Mine and club’s achievements this season are a bit more special considering we have had limited pool time since the closure of the LEA pool in Hereford.
“I hope it re-opens because it would be a loss to both the community and the club.
“It will be tough to continue to build on the success this season without the LEA pool from September. Travelling an extra 100 miles each week to a 20-metre pool in Lucton has not been ideal.”