TWO brilliant bronze medals were won by York City Baths Club swimmers at the National Championships in Sheffield.

Annie Johnston saved the best of her five events for last – the 100 metres breaststroke – as the 14-year-old swam a strong heat followed by a storming semi-final.

In the final, Johnston gave it all and achieved a personal best as well as a medal, her first at national level. Johnston also reached the finals of the 200m individual medley, finishing ninth, and the 200m breaststroke, finishing seventh.

Freya Beck produced a fantastic final in the 200m backstroke to win bronze.

She went into the final in seventh place but another personal best time saw the 13-year-old force her way up the field in the last 50m to take the bronze. Beck also went on to achieve a very creditable fourth place in the 800m freestyle.

Elsewhere, 12-year-old Lucy Nicholson battled bravely despite feeling unwell. She was only just shy of a final place in the 200m butterfly and had to withdraw at the last minute before her 800m freestyle.

In the preceding National Youth Championships, Sam Rainton and James Wilby swam with determination, the latter finishing a creditable seventh in the 100m breaststroke final.

This was the last series of National Championships for outgoing head coach Dawn Martland.

Further information about York City Baths Club is available by visiting www.yorkcitybathsclub.org.uk