The Utmost-sponsored Isle of Man swimming team competed in the Swim England North West Championships at Manchester Aquatic Centre over the weekend.

The competition, for older swimmers aged 15 and over, saw a male team of Peter Allen, Euan Macmurchie, Brody Hewison, Thomas Curphey and Harvey Lowe accompanied by lone female competitor Olivia Marshall.

Each of the swimmers achieved personal best times, but it was Harvey and Olivia that found themselves progressing to the finals and returning with titles. Lowe, 15, was competing in his first North West competition and progressed to finals in the 50m and 100m backstroke events, as well as winning bronze in the 100m freestyle and gold in the 50m freestyle.

Marshall, also 15, proved that team Utmost IoM’s sprint pedigree is still growing as she took bronze in the 100m freestyle in a new junior island record and followed this up by taking double gold in her favoured 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly events.

Head coach Lee Holland commented: ’We are very pleased with the team’s performance, seeing them continue to swim best times in tough conditions is very exciting.

’The next two weekends of the competition show promise, especially seeing younger athletes coming through and dealing with high-level competition pressure well.’