THERE was disappointment for Kelso swimmer Lucy Hope last weekend when she just missed out on a place in the GB team for the European Junior Championships by just 0.21 seconds, despite breaking several records.
The 15-year-old BEST Performance Squad and Kelso ASC member was competing at the London Aquatics Centre alongside the best swimmers in the country at the British Swimming Championships (Olympic Selection Trials).
Lucy made it to the semi-finals in the 200m backstroke and was the quickest Scot in her class, as well as breaking the East of Scotland 15 years and Junior (17 and under) records in both 100m and 200m backstroke events.
She also broke the East Senior record in the 200m backstroke.
Borders performance coach Alex Jordan told TheSouthern: ““I really felt for Lucy in going so close to qualifying for the GB European Junior Team.
“She has really improved in training and competition this season and deserves to be rewarded.
“As disappointing as this aspect of the meet was, we can take a lot of positives away from the competition.
“She’s done herself and her team really proud.”
Lucy, pictured above, gratefully receives support from the Scottish Institute of Sport and the Borders Athlete Support Programme, and is the only swimmer in the region competing at this level.