Four Scots on British squad for 2018 European Junior Championships

“In amongst our team, we have been able to name some familiar and experienced junior swimmers who have already successfully begun the transition into the senior ranks. We hope they can become potent forces on the British Team for many years to come." Tim Jones, Head of Elite Development for British Swimming

Four Scottish swimmers have been named among the 30-strong squad that will represent Great Britain at the European Junior Championships this summer.

Archie Goodburn (Warrender Baths Club), Keanna MacInnes (Heart of Midlothian SC), Katie Robertson (South Ayrshire Swim Team) and Lexie Waller (Wantage White Horses/Heart of Midlothian SC) will be on the plane to Helsinki for the competition, which takes place from July 4 to 8.

Their selection comes on the back of some top performances at the recent Edinburgh International Meet incorporating the British Swimming Championships, with all four making finals and posting excellent times. Thanks to the overall quality of the racing at the meet, this led to some tough choices for the selectors.

British Swimming’s Head of Elite Development Tim Jones said: “We are really pleased to be able to select a strong team of 30 swimmers to compete in Helsinki at the start of July. 2018 is an extremely important year for British Swimming; the second year of this Olympic cycle is one of our final opportunities to unearth some new talent ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“In amongst our team, we have been able to name some familiar and experienced junior swimmers who have already successfully begun the transition into the senior ranks. We hope to be able to identify some more hidden gems at this event that can become potent forces on the British Team for many years to come."

Waller, who made a remarkable return to the pool for EISM, had special praise for her clubs and coaches who helped her achieve selection.

She said: "I am so happy to have been officially selected for European juniors! I have had some huge changes this season with moving down south and joining my new club, Wantage White Horses. Wantage have been so supportive and accommodating of my training needs. They have provided a very enjoyable training environment that I’m very happy to be a part of. All the team work has paid off!

"I’m also hugely grateful to Hearts and Scottish Swimming for their continued support through all the change. I'm now ready just to continue enjoying the sport and training hard in preparation and see what happens! The team selected looks really strong so I can’t wait to go out and smash it with everyone."

Hearts head coach Phil Potter shared the club's pleasure at seeing the selection of MacInnes and Waller. Potter has overseen the development of both and said: "We’re delighted for both Keanna and Lexie on the news of their selection.

"Both swimmers have worked incredibly hard and smart to achieve this selection and it’s a great reflection of their personal qualities that they’ve managed to do so.

"Keanna is currently focusing on preparation for the Commonwealth Games and we all wish her and Team Scotland the best of luck next month.

"Lexie has been away from our programme since the start of the season and is living down south and training with Wantage White Horses who have done a great job in helping her achieve selection. We are extremely proud of her and retain a strong link. Both swimmers are a credit to our programme."

Katie Robertson will be making her first appearance at a European Junior Championships but hopes to draw on previous experiences on the international stage. She said: "I’m really excited and proud to have been selected. This will be my first European Junior Championships, but having been to the World Junior Championships I know what to expect in terms of competition and my nerves. That, and being familiar with a large part of the British team, gives me a great opportunity to give my best performance in Helsinki."

Archie Goodburn continues his brilliant progression through the ranks, after a 2017 where he medalled at the Scottish National Short Course Championships and was a flag bearer for GB at the European Youth Olympics. His coach, Kostas Kalitis, said: "Commitment, hard work, resilience and winning behaviours were the main characteristics of Archie's preparation to qualify.

"His qualification is part of a long-term development process which will allow him to reach his full athletic potential as senior swimmer.

Warrender Baths provides a high performance environment for the development of future elite athletes which has played a key role in Archie's achievements. On top of this, Archie, as a member of Scottish Swimming's youth squad, has also benefitted from the support provided by the Sportscotland Institute of Sport.

"Being delighted about Archie's qualification, everyone in Warrender Baths club is looking forward to seeing Archie's future progress and success."

Full squad:

Daisy Anderson – Thanet

Freya Anderson – Ellesmere College

Rachel Anderson – Millfield School

Will Bell – City of Leicester

Tatiana Belonogoff – Guildford City

Lily Booker – City of Bristol

Lily Boseley – City of Sheffield    

Lewis Burras – Southport / Hamilton Aquatics  

Greg Butler – City of Derby    

Harry Constantine - Hatfield

Lauren Cox – City of Coventry

Leah Crisp – City of Leeds      

Tom Dean –Maidenhead

Angharad Evans – Ellesmere College        

Lewis Fraser – City of Swansea   

Archie Goodburn – Warrender Baths Club       

Jakob Goodman – Millfield School        

Nathan Hughes – Hatfield          

Charlie Hutchison – Ellesmere College

Emily Large – City of Newcastle

Keanna Macinnes – Heart of Midlothian

Jasmine McCrea - Poole

Laura McNab – Team Bath Aquae Sulis

Jacob Peters – Poole   

Nick Pyle – City of Newcastle

Charlotte Rigg – City of Birmingham

Katie Robertson – South Ayrshire

Ciara Schlosshan – City of Leeds       

Luke Turley – Hatfield    

Lexi Waller – Wantage / Heart of Midlothian