IT HAS been a summer to remember for the Swindon Dolphins swimming team as three members exceeded expectations at the 2023 British Championships.

The brotherhood of 17-year-old Fred Carter and 15-year-old Lucas Carter swam alongside teammate Eva Higginbottom as they competed across five events in the championships, braking club records and winning a number of medals.

It was Lucas Carter who took the blocks first in the 100m breaststroke, and he broke the club record for his age with a time of 01:08.95.

Despite it being a superb swim, it wasn’t enough for him to reach the finals as he finished in 11th place.

Brother Fred, who took part in the same event and was ranked ninth in the event before his swim with a time of 01:07.28, recorded a new personal best of 01:06.63 to progress into the medal race.

Carter then went one better to improve his PB once more and bank a bronze medal courtesy of his 1:06.16 time.

The next day, Fred returned to action again as he took to the blocks for the 50m breaststroke, looking to improve on his personal best of 30.52 seconds which had him ranked sixth.

Amazingly, Fred exceeded his personal best once more, recording a time of 26.68 seconds while simultaneously breaking the 16-year-old's club record and securing his spot in the final.

Carter would go onto break his personal best yet again, but more importantly, become 17 years British champion with a time of 29.57 seconds.

The 17-year-old became the second ever swimmer at the Swindon Dolphins to win two medals at the British Championships.

Like the Carter brothers, teammate Higginbottom also exceeded all expectations in her events.

The 14-year-old competed in both 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle swims and recorded new personal bests in both, as well as breaking two club records and bagging a top-ten finish.

Higginbottom recorded a time of 27.68 seconds in the final of her 50m freestyle swim, finishing in seventh place, while also recording a personal best time of 01:00:96 in her 100m freestyle swim.

This broke the club record for her age group and gave her an 11th place finish.

Commenting on the achievements by the Championship swimmers, head coach Anthony Clark said: “Our results are no doubt down to the dedicated team of volunteers we have at the club who demonstrate great teamwork and support all year round.

“This is nothing short of exceptional and goes to show what can be done when there is full commitment to the programme we have at our club.”