Commendable results for Sliema team

There were more positive results for the Sliema ASC team on the third and final day of the Reading Open Meet on Sunday.

After bagging two silver and two bronze medals on Saturday, the Sliema swimmers, under the guidance of coach Stan Ioan Catalin, added five other medals to their tally, one gold, one silver and three bronze, in individual age group finals held at the 25m short course pool in Reading.

The annual competition, organised by the Reading Swimming Club, was a Level 2 meet designated by the British ASA for entry into the UK Championships. Over 40 clubs from the south of England took part.

In Sunday's age group finals, Lucia Gatt, 14, clinched gold in the 100m breaststroke in her respective age group.

Julia Attard, 11, was second in the 100m breaststroke and third in 400m freestyle while Pia Grech, 12, won two bronze medals after third places in the 400m freestyle and 100m breaststroke events.

The Sliema swimmers will return to Malta early this morning. They will have little time to rest though as they are due to compete in the Easter International Meet at Tal-Qroqq later this week.

"The swimming meeting in Reading has given our swimmers the possibility to establish new personal best times and also provided them with invaluable international race experience," Sliema ASC swim team manager Mario Cachia said.

"The weekend competitions will surely stand our swimmers in good stead, both mentally and physically, particularly ahead of the Easter International Meet at the National Pool this weekend."

Air Malta supported Sliema ASC's trip to Reading.