Aquatics duo strike gold

MILES OF SMILES . . . Gold medallists Mikey Thompson (left) and Brogan Fox.

SWIMMING:

TWO Oldham Aquatics swimmers struck gold for the North-West regional team at the National Junior and Youth Disability Championships in Sheffield.

Mikey Thompson (16) finished first in all five of his individual events, and also played a key role in earning a gold and silver for the four-man relay team.

He led the way in 50 metre, 100m and 400m freestyle, as well as 100m breaststroke and 100m individual medley.

Team-mate Brogan Fox (15), making his debut in a junior national event and swimming in a short course pool for the first time, clinched the top prize in 50m backstroke.

Oldham Aquatics head coach Carly Herbert said: “Both lads performed brilliantly for the North-West, and in doing so made our club proud.

“Mikey had been poorly for two weeks going into the event, so to win all of his races and also do so well in the relays is commendable.

“Brogan was in unknown territory because he had never competed at national level before, and yet he came away with a gold medal.

“He has only been with the club for a year, but he has made excellent progress.”

Carly has succeeded Lee Holland as head coach, after the Liverpudlian departed to take on the same role at City of Chester Swimming Club.

And despite the extra work load, she is enjoying the step up from her previous role as deputy.

She added: “I love the extra responsibility. The swimmers at the club are responding well to the

messages I am trying to get across.

“They are finding it hard but that is good, because it shows it is working and they are buying into it.

“The club and myself are going to discuss my position after six months. It is just a case of seeing how it goes, but so far I am enjoying it.”