WINSFORD Swim Team members are ready to test themselves against Britain’s best, according to their trainer.

More than two dozen swimmers – a record number – have made the grade to compete on the national stage this summer.

“We’re going there to be fast,” said head coach Dan Goodwin.

“All of them have been in training for many months in the run up to these championships to make sure that they’re ready, and that preparation couldn’t have gone any better.

“They’re feeling focused, and will execute the races they know they’re capable of.”

A total of 11 swimmers met the qualifying criteria to represent Winsford at the ASA Open Water Festival last weekend.

They are: Lottie Howman, Rory Armitt, Oscar Jolliffe (all 12 years-old), Abbie Christopherson, Jay Cushen (both 13), Alissa Blackshaw, Abbey Brown, Henry Oliver (all 14) and Alex Moss (15).

Kate Young contested the under 18s girls’ category, while Becky Alderman was among the over 19s.

Attention turns next to the British Summer Championships, which started at Ponds Forge yesterday, Tuesday.

Adam Blackshaw will race in the under 16s boys’ 200m butterfly, while Jordan Gaskell competes in the same event for under 18s boys.

The next 20 swimmers in the national rankings head to the ASA National Summer Championships, to be held at the same venue, next week.

Winsford will send nine teenagers to take part, including Christopherson in the under 13s girls’ 200m butterfly.

The under 14s boys’ line-up includes Finn Armitt, Jay Cushen, Dan Hulme, Ethan Jones, Henry Oliver and Ryan Wheeler.

Izzy Burton contests the under 16s girls’ 50m backstroke, while Will Murray goes over 50m and 100m in the under 15s boys’ breaststroke.

Goodwin added: “It shows what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and sticking together.

“Their target now is to make the final in their event and win a medal.”