A HOST of talented swimming squad members qualified for the finals of a prestigious national competition.

The Rydal Penrhos School contingent will travel to Cardiff for the Urdd National Gala in the new year after achieving a significant amount as a result of their efforts in the regional heat, with 14 pupils booking their place in individual categories.

Leading the way was Swim Wales international Zach Speakman, with the sports scholar notching gold in both the Senior Boys’ Butterfly and Individual Medley events.

Mia Cole also achieved a notable double in the Senior Girls’ Backstroke and Butterfly races, with Ava Gardener also securing two victories in the Girls’ Freestyle and Breaststroke.

Another to secure qualification in two events was Josh Manning, who triumphed in the Boys’ Freestyle and Backstroke, and Mason Clark also produced a fine effort to emerge victorious in the Boys’ Breaststroke race.

There was further cause for celebration in the form of the Intermediate events, with Cameron Shaw (Boys’ Freestyle), John Williams (Boys’ Butterfly), Bella Rutherford (Girls’ Backstroke) and Emily Stubbings (Girls’ Breaststroke) all hitting the line first to seal Gold.

This fine form continued with the Rydal Penrhos junior team, which managed to produce five qualifiers in Zac Roberts, Corso Cramerotti, Ariana Milligan, Isabella Peevor and James Gilman.

The relay squads were also in dominant mood throughout the competition, winning no fewer than 14 of the 15 events at the showcase.

Allen Boyd, director of sport at Rydal Penrhos, said: “We have enjoyed some superb success at the Urdd National Gala in recent years, and this current squad look sure to add to this if their performance in the regional championship is anything to go by.

“They have all worked incredibly hard under the guidance of dedicated coaching staff and they can be enormously proud of their respective efforts.”