Borders Swimmer Beth Johnston continued her excellent development over the weekend, claiming double gold at the penultimate event in the World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA. The series event was held at Indianapolis University Natatorium and was open to swimmers with a disability who met the relevant qualifying standards, with Scottish Swimming supporting a team of four young athletes to travel and compete.
https://www.paralympic.org/swimming/world-series-2017
The Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) youngster secured gold in the S10 100m Backstroke (1:18.50) and S10 50m Freestyle (32.45), holding off competition from swimmers from all over America as well as a host of other countries from across the world. Beth highlighted this, stating, “it was a great experience, one I will never forget. To be given the chance to compete against Americans, Canadians and Australians doesn’t happy every day!” The 15 year old from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders also competed in the woman’s S10 100m Freestyle, finishing second in a time of 1:10.23. Johnston, the only para swimmer on the BEST programme, is obviously flourishing under the guidance of Head Coach Lauryn Jocelyn leading to her standing as one of Scotland’s brightest prospects.
These results continue to build on times achieved earlier in 2017, after the former Scottish Disability Sport Academy athlete broke the Scottish record at the recent British Para Swimming International Meet in Sheffield for the S10 Backstroke (1:18.66). Additionally, Beth claimed another record at the Scottish Disability Sport National Championships in April this year for the 50m Backstroke (36.50).
The Galashiels Academy pupil is currently part of the British Swimming Para Academy Squad and is also targeting next year’s Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast with Tokyo 2020 also very much on the horizon.