TEAM Ipswich set a number of new national qualifying times at the UK Challenge in Hatfield last weekend. Around a dozen swimmers from Team Ipswich returned to the site of their London Speedo League triumph looking for some good performances ahead of the regional championships.

TEAM Ipswich set a number of new national qualifying times at the UK Challenge in Hatfield last weekend.

Around a dozen swimmers from Team Ipswich returned to the site of their London Speedo League triumph looking for some good performances ahead of the regional championships.

After a great start by Ipswich, Charlie Smith swam a great 4.54.84 in the 400 freestyle to set a national qualifying time and he was quickly followed by Jack Hollis, who reduced his national time to 4.28.41.

In the girls 100 freestyle, Chloe Price set a new personal best with a 1.08.14, before Hollis continued a great competition with solid 200 and 400 IM swims. Smith was back with a PB performance in the 100 fly (1.16.85), followed by Hollis with 1.07.40.

The boys were keeping busy and Elliot Cook got in on the act when setting a national time in the 100 back (1.09.68).

Sunday arrived and the pace was just as hot. First up Ellen Oxbrow set a new club record in the girls 100 fly (1.16.74).

In the boys 200 free, Smith (2.20.54) and Hollis (2.09.24), both set new national marks while Cook swam a new best time of 2.20.54 and Ollie Bott set a new PB with 2.17.90.

In the boys 100 free Smith swam a solid 1.08.48, Cook recorded a great 1.04.77, while Bott set another PB with 1.01.90. Meanwhile, in the girls 200 freestyle Chloe Price attacked her race from the gun and achieved her first national qualifying time with a superb 2.21.93. Heather Rodwell then set a new PB with a 2.18.35.

In the 50 freestyle, April Hyam set a new PB with 28.91, as did Rachel Andvig with 28.60. Elliot Cook then set yet another national qualifying time with a 2.29.11 in the boys 200 back.

The girls returned in the 200 IM and Price set another PB with a great 2.45.27, while in the boys 50 free the red-hot Hollis set a new PB of 28.32.

Head coach Dave Champion said: “All the hard work is paying off where it counts - in the pool. Team Ipswich Swimming already has more swimmers going to the National Championships than ever before and the excitement and the buzz that's in training at the moment can only mean good things for the future.”