On Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd November, the annual short course North Eastern Region swimming championships took place at Sunderland Aquatics Centre.
Matthew Bradley, aged 17 from Bishop Auckland, was competing in the event for the eighth year running and had a very successful weekend. On the Saturday Matthew’s achieved a lifetime best of 51.24 seconds for the 100 metres freestyle in his first swim.
He then went on to do the same in the 50 metres breaststroke, taking the silver medal in the final in a time of 29.84 seconds.
This was followed by a superb 200 metres breaststroke with yet another lifetime best of 2.21.78 and a deserved bronze medal.
On Sunday, Matthew swam the 100 metres breaststroke, achieving a season’s best of 1.05.61 in the final.
Another season’s best of 2.08.22 in the 200 metres individual medley was enough to take bronze.
The final swim of the weekend was the 50 metres freestyle and yet another lifetime best of 23.64 meant silver.
Matthew will now compete in the Short Course National Championships scheduled for December.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.





