CAMERON Brodie, from Kelly College, successfully defended his National title last weekend at the ASA National Youth Championships in Sheffield.

The 17-year old Kelly swimmer, who qualified for the Commonwealth Games three weeks ago at the European Youth Championships in Helsinki, was once again in fine form in Sheffield, winning the 200m Fly by a clear three second margin in 2.00.55.

 Later in the week, Cameron also won a silver medal in the 100m fly and made some exceptional improvements to his best performance time, finishing fifth in the final of the 200m individual medley.

Cameron said: This is the third championship race I have had over the last nine weeks. I am really pleased with my form and the progress I have made this year.

The Commonwealth Games are really important to me and, although I will be the youngest member of the Scottish Team, I will be training hard with my coach, Robin Brew, to do everything possible to break the magic two-minute barrier in the 200 fly, and will be aiming to make the Commonwealth final.

 Five other Kelly swimmers competed at the National Youth Championships, including first time qualifiers, 17 year-old Charlie Bayliss in the 200m fly, 17 year-old Patrick Blake in the 100m and 200m backstroke and the 400m freestyle, and 14-year-old Molly Redford, competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle, along with the 200m IM.   Having just turned 14 this month, Molly also smashed four Kelly swimming records for age 14 girls, including the record set for the 50m freestyle in 2003 by Jakie Wellman, who went on to take part in the Athens Olympics.

Robin Brew, the director of swimming at Kelly College, said: All three swimmers swam tremendously well, achieving personal best performance times, Charlie and Patrick only narrowly missing the semi-finals in the 200m fly and 200m back, respectively, by a mere 0.5 of a second. Ben Walsh also competed in the 100m and 200m back and found himself in the same position in the 200m backstroke, despite a 4 second improvement on his personal best time.

Lawrence Oxborough, from Mary Tavy, was competing in his fourth national championships the 100m and 200m freestyle and also made some excellent progress in the 400m freestyle to produce a life time best performance time.

Maltese international, Mark Sammut, used the championships as his final preparation before departing on the last day of competition for the World Youth Olympics Games in Singapore.  Mark will be competing in the 100m and 200m backstroke for Malta.