Swimming: Strachan in UK final

LERWICK lass Andrea Strachan has become the first Shetland swimmer to reach a final at the British Swimming Championships, this year being held in Manchester.

On Saturday evening the 18 year old, who now swims for Edinburgh University, came eighth in the 50 metre breaststroke in a time of 33.72sec. The race was won by teammate Kathryn Johnstone in 32.47 sec.

Coach Petur Petursson said reaching the final was an “incredible achievement” for Andrea who learned to swim at the Shetland Amateur Swimming Club, and later trained with the Lerwick Swim Team before going to university in Edinburgh where she joined the university’s swimming club.

“The Lerwick Swim Team squad have been on a high all weekend with great excitement at Andrea’s success,” he said.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Andrea home at the start of the Easter holidays when she will be training with the squad at the Clickimin Leisure Centre.

“She will then travel with us and represent Lerwick Swim Team at the Scottish National Age Group Championships this April.”