TAVISTOCK'S champion swimmer Jan Langton pulled off a very respectable performance at the BT National Long Course Open Championships, held at Sheffield's Ponds Forge 50m pool recently.
The event was the last big competition before the Sydney paralympics, so many teams including Australia, Holland and New Zealand fielded their full squads.
Jan, who is just 13, did not make this year's paralympics, but has been given a place on the national training squad for the 2004 Athens competitions.
Last month the squad went up against some of the world's best swimmers in Sheffield, an opportunity for some of the younger members to build their experience of top level competition. Jan achieved a seventh, eighth and ninth place in her various events.
'It is really looking good towards the next paralympics,' said mum Helen.
The event was the culmination of an excellent season for Jan, who is currently world record holder and national champion in her category of the 50m butterfly.
'Not bad for her first year of swimming for England,' said coach Wendy Pullyblank.
Jan has just been given another boost by Meadowlands swimming pool in Tavistock.
The company already provides Jan and her coach full use of its facilities for nothing and has now gone a step further in providing her with her gear, including swim suits, track suits and a windcheater.