PIONEER 79 swimmers have been busy in recent weeks in a schedule that has taken in key events across the North West.

The Blackburn club sent a strong squad to the Regional Youth Championships in both Liverpool and Manchester.

Amelia Candon, Karmen Hammonds and Chartlotte all travelled to the Liverpool Aquatic Centre for the older age group championships.

And Charlotte was the big winner on the day after swimming to glory in the 200m backstroke - and that was after qualifying for the final as seventh fastest swimmer.

Charlotte, competing in the 16-year age girls, also finished in sixth place in the 100m backstroke final and seventh in the 50m event.

In the 14-year-old girls, Amelia picked up a third place in the 200m backstroke and was fifth in the 400m individual medely and eighth in the 200m IM.

And Karmen reached two finals both in the backstroke, finishing fifth and seventh in the 100m and 200m respectively.

But she also achieved her much sought after National Qualifying Time in the earlier heats.

Amelia and Karmen both qualified for the national finals.

In Manchester, eight swimmers took part in the 2010 British Gas North West Regional Age Group Championships which were held over two weekends.

And it was another successful outing for the Pioneer swimmers who all competed for the elite Gallica county squad.

For while many swimmers achieved personal bests and NQTs, William Beavan and Connor Makin both qualified alongside the girls for the national finals to be held in Sheffield in August.

Connor reached two finals in the 14-year-old boys event, finishing in second place in the 200m breaststroke and sixth in the 100m breaststroke.

William, swimming in the 11-year-old boys, reached five finals, a fourth place finish in the 200m breaststroke the pick.

He also competed in the 100m freestyle (5th), 200m free (6th), 400m free (7th) and 400m IM (8th).

Other swimmers to reach finals were: 10-year-old girls - Emma Fox: 400m IM (3rd), 200m b’fly (5th), 100m b’fly (6th), 400m IM (8th).

Niamh Robinson: 100m back (3rd), 100m b’stroke (4th), 200m back (4th), 200m back (4th), 20mm b’stroke (5th), 200, IM (7th).

10-year-old boys - Joseph Murray: 100m b’stroke (5th), 200m b’stroke (4th).

11-year-old girls - Elizabeth Greenwood: 200m b’fly (5th), 100m b’fly (4th).

l Jasmin Scott competed in three events (200m b’stroke, 100m, b’stroke, 200m IM) in the 10-year-old girls and did not reach any finals but achieved a pb in the 200m breaststroke.

l James Harding competed in the first weekend in the 12-year-old boys, swimming in three events (100m free, 200m back, 200m IM) but had to withdraw with a shoulder injury.