WILMSLOW Scorpions Swimming Club now have their sights on achieving regional success.

This follows returning from the final weekend of Cheshire Championships action with 32 personal bests, six top-eight placings, 18 county qualifying times for 2021 and two regional qualifying times.

Three other swimmers got to within seconds of also gaining a regionals spot.

The success sees the club building on the great foundations made since losing its learn-to-swim offering in 2017, which led to losing a third of its membership, financial losses and the possibility of closing down the club.

Committee member Paul Ibeziako said “This is a fantastic achievement. A few years ago, the club was on the brink of closure.

“The committee, coaches, volunteers and parents have worked hard to ensure the club had the right infrastructure and support to make this moment happen and see our swimmers, not only achieve these results, but also have their achievements recorded in history. We are blown away and extremely proud.”

Top-eight finishes in the finals all came from Ella Faulkner (10/11 age group) in the 100m Individual Medley (4th), 50m butterfly (5th), 50m backstroke (5th), 100m breaststroke (6th), 50m freestyle (5th) and 100m freestyle (6th).

The swimmers gaining qualifying times to next year’s Cheshire Championships are Theo Ibeziako (50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle), Oliver Mortlock (50m butterfly), Joseph Mortlock (50m butterfly, 100m IM), James Dale (50m backstroke), Heidi Stansfield (50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 100m breaststroke), Ella Faulkner (100m IM, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle).

Ella Faulkner and Heidi Stansfield will progress to the regional championships in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke respectively.

Each of the relay teams achieved personal bests in their age categories.

Theo Ibeziako swam a regional qualifying pace in his 50m leg of the freestyle relay and hopes to repeat this, and consequently join the club’s regional qualifiers, at his next licensed meet.

Special mention also goes to honorary member Lewis Brodie, who now swims for Stockport Metro.

He walked away from the competition with 16 medals – six gold, five silver and five bronze.