A TALENTED Huddersfield swimmer has taken another step towards fulfilling a dream of appearing at the Olympics.
Katy Venters, from Salendine Nook, was picked for a 2012 London Games talent squad last year and has now met up with coaches and fellow athletes for the first time.
The squad, put together by the British Swimming Association, consists of people who have the potential to ensure Great Britain wins medals at the games.
The athletes will undergo a comprehensive development and nurturing process including coaching advice and sport science education, in readiness for the Olympics.
Katy, 16, whose specialist events are the 100m and 200m backstroke, said: “Things are going really well with my swimming progress.”
She added: “I went down to the potential squad for a get-together in Nottingham where I met the coaches and fellow swimmers.”
“The other athletes included in the team are the best in the country, so being a part of that squad gives me confidence.”
Katy said the squad will meet up on a further eight occasions this year.
The swimmer became the first person to receive money from a Kirklees Council sporting fund in December last year to help her achieve the ambition of competing in the Olympics.
She explained: “The training with the squad will become more intense as time goes on. I am definitely more focused and determined to appear at the games after joining up with the squad for the first time.
“It was quite daunting at first being among the experienced coaches and other swimmers but I now find it inspiring and motivating.”
Katy, who trains up to 16 hours a week, also enjoyed success at the county championships in Leeds.
The Borough of Kirklees swimmer helped the club take away a total of 27 medals.
Held at the new John Charles Centre for Sport, Lewis Dyson dominated the junior boys freestyle events with wins in the 200m, 400m and 1500m distances. The 200m and 1500m were won in record breaking times of 2mins 0.8sec and 16mins 39.73 sec.
Matthew Marshall took all three junior butterfly titles including smashing his personal best in the 200m by a staggering three seconds.
Kieran Patel picked up his first ever county title in 800m freestyle with a personal best 8mins 47.20sec, which also meant he booked a place at this years national championships.
Sophie Canham, Alicia Holdsworth and Abigail Hirstle also recorded times that ensured they’ll be competing at this year’s national championships.
Gold medal winners: Kieran Patel 800m freestyle, Lewis Dyson 1500 freestyle/ 200/400 freestyle, Katy Venters 50/100/200 backstroke, Matthew Marshall 50/200 butterfly.
Silver medal winners: Marshall, Paul Fort, Holly Scott, Abigail Hirstle.
Bronze medal winners: David Phillips, Marshall, Sophie Canham, Steven Thornton, Alicia Holdsworth, Lewis Dyson, Holly Scott, Abigail Hirstle.
Womens 4x50m Medley Team: (Venters, Lucy Foreman, Hirstle, Holdsworth).
Top 10: Christopher Prince, Holdsworth, Patel, Phillips, Alex Garbiak, Foreman, Hirstle, Holly Scott, Canham, Laura Shields, Hollie Cottrell, Dyson, Richard Swystun, Marshall, Fort.
