Freestyle star Chris Chenery took a huge chunk out of his lifetime best for the 1500m as he clocked his first national qualifying time.
The 12-year-old Canvey Island SC ace took almost a minute off his PB at the new Olympic-size pool in Norwich, where top club swimmers were preparing for forthcoming Southern County events.
Chief coach Rob Park: "We all knew Chris was capable, even at such a young age, but actually achieving the national standard was another matter.
"It was going to require a performance of excpetional quality."
That is what Chenery produced, and he added new bests in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
He has been selected to swim for Essex at next month's Inter-Counties clash at Crystal Palce, along with Ben Preston, Neil Thompson and Natasha Chignell -- all called up after impressing at the Essex Championships.
Also in form in Norwich were 16-year-olds Paul Barauskas and Paul Williams, with the former touching home in new bests for 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle. Williams smashed his 100m backstroke best to finish fifth.
Published Thursday, April 24, 2003
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