For the fifth year in a row, the Ashtead-based Downsend School girls’ squad were placed in the top 3 nationally at the IAPS National Swimming Championships.

Over 117 schools were represented on the day, having qualified from the Regional rounds held earlier in the year.

The girls’ squad had representation from every year group, an illustration of the standard they maintain each year and on the day they did not disappoint, demonstrating a fantastic level of swimming.

The school’s National Title was secured by Eve Williams, who swam superbly to achieve a deserved gold medal. Eve and her team also achieved silver medals in both relays and finished the day with the U12 Runners Up Trophy.

Downsend swimming coaches, Jo Twyman and Clair Amos said ‘Special mention must be given to the young team of swimmers from Year 5, who worked hard all year, were mature and disciplined throughout training and won themselves a bronze medal with a technically excellent relay race. Well done girls!’

They added, ‘These are a great group of girls to take out and represent the school. They are committed and interested, they support and encourage one another and they listen and assimilate all the coaching points to produce a wonderful team effort.

“Their discipline and effort is superb and their fun and laughter make the whole day out a complete pleasure. We are very proud of the ethos and work ethic of this squad, and the results, speak for themselves.’

Results: GIRLS IAPS 2010 Overall Place - 3rd – Downsend National Champion - U12 Freestyle - Eve Williams - 30.60 National Runner Up - U12 Individual Backstroke - Megan McInnes - 36.18 National Runner Up - U13 Individual Freestyle - Gaby Orlich - 28.50 (School Record) National Runners Up - U12 Medley Team – 1.08.03 (School Record) Megan McInnes, Eve Williams, Tara Daly, Rosie Onslow-Wyld National Runners Up – U12 Freestyle Team – 59.42 Megan McInnes, Tara Daly, Isabella Veasey, Eve Williams National Runners Up Overall Team Trophy – U12 Team Megan McInnes, Isabella Veasey, Tara Daly, Eve Williams, Rosie Onslow-Wyld Bronze Medal – U11 Individual Butterfly - Antonia Peckham – 16.25 (School Record) Bronze Medals – U10 Freestyle Team – 1.05.20 Christina Georgiou, Megan McCormack, Talisa Yorke, Anya Beri 5th Place – U11 Freestyle Team – 1.01.67 Martha Whitefoord, Carrie Bonnar, Sophie Tamblyn, Antonia Peckham 5th Place - U13 Freestyle Team – 58.10 Zoe Lyon, Hannah Crawley, Claire Russell, Gaby Orlich 6th Place – U11 Medley Team – 1.11.04 Sophie Tamblyn, Carrie Bonnar, Antonia Peckham, Martha Whitefoord 7th Place – U13 Individual Backstroke – Zoe Lyon - 35.32