Bicester Blue Fins’ Tom Thornley heads to Spain on Thursday after being selected to represent the South East at the Catalonian Open Senior Championships in Barcelona.
The 15-year-old is part of a 20-strong squad based on performances at the South East ASA Winter Regional Championships last month.
Thornley was selected because of his blistering wins in three backstroke events at Portsmouth.
His 50m win came in a regional record, while his time for the 100m ranked him second in the UK.
His regional mark in the 200m backstroke was also the second fastest time in the UK, also placing him No 2 in the rankings.
Thornley will compete in all three backstroke events and the 100m freestyle.
“Tom’s progress has been quite remarkable in the last 12 months,” said head coach Struan McNeil.
London 2012 Olympic swimmer and former Bicester Blue Fin member Craig Gibbons led a training masterclass in the town.
Gibbons, who was at the club from four-years-old to seven, represented Team GB in the 4x100m freestyle relay in London.
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