Swatman makes it back-to-back titles at Artistic Swimming National Champs

Robyn Swatman made it back-to-back national titles in the Technical Solo competition as she won gold in the Swim England Artistic Swimming National Junior and Senior Championships 2022.

The 18-year-old, who swims for Walsall Artistic Swimming Club, finished on top of the podium in the Virtual National Junior and Senior Championships in 2021.

Swatman improved on her 2021 score (74.1997) to claim the title yet again and win the Colin Lushington Memorial Trophy alongside both the senior and junior gold medals, as the event returned to its regular format.

The Harvey Hadden Sports Complex in Nottingham was the venue playing host to her success, with Swatman achieving 23.6000 for execution, 23.7000 for artistic impression and 31.4061 for elements, which saw an overall total of 78.7061.

City of Salford’s Aimee Lawrence was the senior silver medallist with her score of 74.0028, followed by Eleanor Blinkhorn of Reading Royals who claimed senior bronze and junior silver with 72.7154.

The junior bronze medal winner was Stockport Metro’s Evie Walker (71.2804).

Three in a row for Reading Royals

Both Blinkhorn and Lawrence were back on the podium with their respective teams in the Technical Team competition.

It was Reading Royals who claimed the top spot, making it their third consecutive gold in that competition.

They took gold in 2019, followed by a virtual series gold in 2021, and now another victory in 2022. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 10-strong team who competed were Blinkhorn, Beatrice Crass, Tara Dakovic, Charlie Razzell, Rebecca Saunders, Elena Smith-Fernandez, Florence Blinkhorn and Lily Halasi, with Lily Gidney and Madeleine Brown in reserve.

A score of 69.4203, broken down into 21.0000 for execution, 20.7000 for artistic impression and 27.7203 for elements, saw them finish just over four points clear of their nearest rivals.

Doubling up on silver medals was City of Salford with 65.3295 points. Their team was Lawrence, Alicia Cox, Ellie Alder, Lauren Redfern, Libby Taylor, Prudence Hubbard, Rhiannon Woodhouse and Zoe Taylor, with Amy Outram and Mollie McDermott in reserve.

City of Bristol were the bronze medallists with Lilly Todd, Laurel Allen, Evie Garrett, Nia Rushton, Robyn Ashworth, Anna Sledge, Cajsa Jonsson, Isabelle Bowyer and in reserve, Amelie Williams, achieving a total score of 64.8775.