Richmond'S Olympic swimmer Nicola Jackson just missed out on a new British record and took three gold medals at the North Eastern Counties ASA long course championships in Sheffield last weekend.
The 17-year-old, competing for the newly-formed Durham University Aquatics, recorded a time of 1:00.47 in the heats of the 100m butterfly, just 0.07 seconds outside the regional record and 0.10 seconds outside the British record.
Hopes were high that Nicola, who trains with the Richmond Dales and Derwentside clubs, would break the minute barrier and the two records in the final. She led from the starting blocks and quickly established a strong lead, turning at the halfway point in 28.37 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of the field.
But she was unable to maintain the pace on her own, eventually winning in 1:00.50. Her younger sister Joanne was seventh in 1:07.15.
Nicola also won the 100m freestyle in 57.11 and the 50m butterfly in 27.41, finishing third in the 50m freestyle.
Durham University Aquatics was formed after the Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham City, Durham University, Gateshead and Whickham, Peterlee, Richmond Dales, Sedgefield 75 and Wear Valley clubs joined forces to give talented athletes the support and facilities they need to pursue a career to the highest levels of the sport.
The so-called "super club" will compete at regional level and higher, but the clubs will keep their own identities and compete at other levels.
Joanne Jackson was also third in the 200m butterfly in 2:20.76 and ninth in the 200m freestyle in 2:10.55.
Meanwhile, Jenn Cornes from Pinchinthorpe, near Guisborough, finished second in the 50m breaststroke in 35.19. She was representing the Moors swimming squad.
Hannah Creelman of the Thirsk White Horse club finished ninth in the 100m freestyle in 1:00.86.
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