SWIMMERS from the Huntingdon Piranhas club have started the year with a number of individual and team triumphs. Four members of the squad have already achieved qualifying times for the Eastern Region Swimming Championships in May. Fourteen-year-old Tamara

SWIMMERS from the Huntingdon Piranhas club have started the year with a number of individual and team triumphs.

Four members of the squad have already achieved qualifying times for the Eastern Region Swimming Championships in May.

Fourteen-year-old Tamara Richards can now compete regionally in five events - 50, 100 and 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 200m Individual Medley, as can Steve Brooks, 16, who has qualified in the 50 and 100m freestyle, the 50 and 100m butterfly and the 50m backstroke.

Chelsea Prouten, 13, has qualified for the 50m breaststroke and Lianne Griffiths, 14, for the 50m backstroke.

Lauren Steadman, 14, has been selected for the Disability Swimming 2007/8 WC Pathway Programme trials taking place in February. This is the first step towards inclusion in the British swim squad.

Kristen Chadband, 12, was the overall boys champion at the Boston Open in early January. He won eight of his nine events, in the process setting four new personal best times.

The Piranhas, who are sponsored by Copleys Solicitors, have also enjoyed team success in their opening two galas of the year. In the first round of the Anglian League the Piranhas finished a good fourth behind Boston A, Kings Lynn and Wisbech, beating local rivals St Neots and St Ives and achieving 17 new personal best times on the night.

The team took four first places with wins from Sam Green, Alex Murray, Matthew Lardner and Josh Waring.

The Piranhas just missed out on second place in the first round of the Junior Fenland League, finishing behind Cambridge and Deepings.

The squad recorded seven wins on the night for Chloe Gibson, Lucy Brading, two, Luke Wood, Charlotte Harrison and two for Sam Green. A total of 25 new personal best times were set.

* Meanwhile, swimmers from St Neots Swans have also enjoyed a successful start to the year.

Swimming at the Aqua Vale pool in Aylesbury, the club entered many of their squad in their very first gala.

The team of seven to 10-year-olds, eventually emerged victorious with 134pts, ahead of hosts Aylesbury on 113pts. The Swans' swimmers recorded an impressive 19 wins in individual events and also dominated the relays.

Swans head coach Linda Ashley-Davidson said: "This was a fantastic gala and an unbelievable result. I am so very proud of all of the swimmers who took part, especially those taking part in their first gala. The emerging talent that we have seen tonight is an exciting prospect for the future of Swans Swimming Club.