WREXHAM Swimming Club's expectations for the level one City of Derby long course meet were modest, writes Sally Jones.

Just two weeks off the back of their winter training break, a small contingent of the club’s performance swimmers travelled to Ponds Forge International Sport Centre.

With this being the first meet after the Christmas training break, and the first time back in a 50m pool since last summer for most, head coach Steven Parker’s expectations we’re relatively modest.

He stating that, at this point in the season and training, "the emphasis was on race craft and any personal best times would be a bonus".

Wrexham swimmers missed that memo, though!

Every swimmer in attendance - Adam Taylor, Aeron Lee, Annabelle Jones, Carys Morgan, Charlotte Leatherbarrow, Jack Leatherbarrow, Joanne Andrews, Megan Roberts, Mollie Rogers, Myia Jones, Rebecca Taylor, Sophie Forgrave, Spencer Jones and Zuzanna Majczak - set new personal best times in a plethora of events.

In addition, there were new long course club records set by two swimmers: ten-year-old Spencer Jones in the 50m and 200m breaststroke, and Joanne Andrews, 12, in the 200m breaststroke, 200m IM, 50m breaststroke, 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and 200m backstroke.

Carys Morgan, 14, and Spencer Jones both achieved third-placed top girl / boy awards respectively, while Joanne Andrews’ 200m IM time was fast enough to meet the Welsh squad qualifying standards, positioning her for selection later in the year.

In the women’s draw, Andrews took home gold in the 200m butterfly (2-39.67), as well as silver in the 200m IM final (2-36.56) and the 200m breaststroke (2-56.04).

Carys Morgan struck bronze in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2-45.98.

Over in the men’s events, Spencer Jones a hat-trick of golds - in the 100m butterfly (1-33.90), 200m breaststroke (3-29.43) and 200m backstroke (3-04.57).

He also took bronze medals in the 100m backstroke (1-27.74), 400m freestyle (6-03.26) and 200m freestyle (2-49.00).

Riding this high, next up for Wrexham Swimming Club is the Swim Wales level two short course regional championships, which will be held in Llandudno from February 10-12.

Wrexham's young athletes are expected to reap the rewards for all the hard work they are and have been providing in training.

Falling in the qualifying window for the Spring Nationals, this meet is strategically important for those chasing qualifying times; based on recent performances, though, there is no doubt Wrexham members will continue to shine.