August 11, 2010 9.12 am This story is over 162 months old

Lincoln swimmer ready for national event

Young swimmer: Lincoln’s Hayley Williams qualified to compete in the British Gas ASA National Championships 2010.

Young Lincoln swimming talent Hayley Williams has qualified to compete in the British Gas ASA National Championships 2010 in Sunderland next week. The 16-year-old (pictured training) will go head to head with England’s elite swimmers for a spot in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi this October.

“It’s a pleasure to take part in such an event, and my target, as always is to move up the rankings,” said Williams. “I have swum against some of the best swimmers in Britain, and this year I will be going to the competition on my own without a coach or team, but I will try my best.”

Williams is a member of Lincoln Vulcans Swimming Club, and trained by coach Fred Furniss. She will compete in the Women’s 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and 50m backstroke at the Sunderland Aquatics Centre on August 18-21.

“I am realistic about the Commonwealth Games, but am still targeting the Olympic Games. I am placed in the middle of my timings for my three events, and I am always striving to get better and beat my personal bests,” Williams said.

The young swimmer, who attended Yarborough School in Lincoln, holds multiple records for 14, 15, 16-year-old swimmers. At the Youth Nationals in Sheffield last week Hayley broke two of her personal records as well.

Williams is also is a member of the Lincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme (LEAP) run by the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, which supports local and talented athletes from across the county with courses, mentoring and funding.

“It’s fantastic that a Lincolnshire athlete is now competing at the Senior Nationals; a high level competition with lots of elite performers to compete against,” said Rachel Belcher, the LEAP Project Officer at the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership.

“We wish her the best of luck, and hope to see her perform well,” Belcher added.

Source, Photo: Lincolnshire Sports Partnership