Kelly College swimmer sets new world record

A NEW world record has been set by a 16-year-old Kelly College Paralympian.

Hannah Russell, who won a silver and two bronze medals in London 2012, has taken 12.36 seconds off her personal best in the S12 200m freestyle to set a new world record of 2:13.42.

The achievement came when the Kelly College swim team travelled to Cardiff to compete in the open meet held by Exeter City Swimming Club at Cardiff International Pool.

Russell, who moved to Kelly in September, said: "At this time of the year, to achieve something like that, is just amazing. It really proves that my training is paying off.

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"Now, when I look forward to future events like the British Championship Trials, I can keep focused and work really hard to improve my times and performances."

The achievement comes as Russell, who is visually impaired, looks to continue her outstanding form from last year, which saw her win three medals at the Paralympic Games in London.

Robin Brew, director of swimming at Kelly College and Russell's coach, highlighted her success and said that this was great early season preparation for the World Championships later this year in Canada.

"Hannah has adapted extremely well to Kelly College life since joining in September and the British and world records she has broken reflect the huge support given by all swim staff and school as a whole," he said.

"Performance wise, our next goal is to secure a place for Hannah on the World Championship team in August this year, so training is focused on swimming fast in Easter when the trials will be taking place.

"For her to be swimming such outstanding performances so early on in our preparations is a huge bonus and motivational boost for Hannah as she enters an intensive period of training," he added.

In total, 36 swimmers attended the competition aged from 11 to 18 years old.

The weekend concluded with one world record, five national qualifying times, nine new Kelly College age group records, 14 gold medals, 21 silver medals, 16 bronze medals and 99 personal best times.

National qualifying times were achieved by Tom Brew in the 100m butterfly, Cara Layden in the 200m backstroke and Milly Furneaux in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Headmaster of Kelly College, Dr Graham Hawley, said: "We are extremely proud of all our swimmers and their achievements.

"It is a great tribute to our world class coaching team that 99 personal best times were gained. Hannah Russell's new world record is the icing on the cake."