Cadet Sergeant Morag Campbell (16) took home a bronze medal from the 4x50m freestyle relay and only narrowly missed out on a medal for the 100m breaststroke, being beaten into fourth place by 0.2 of a second.

Morag said she was delighted to have been picked to represent the region, and admitted to feeling disappointed on missing out on an individual medal.

But she added she was happy knowing that she had tried her best. "It was a great experience and the calibre of swimmers within the Corps at this event was very high," she said.

"Most members of the Scotland and Northern Ireland team travelled together, and it was good to meet up again with friends from all over the country.

"I hope that I manage to get selected again for the team next year and I'll be training hard to try to improve my times and get a placing in an individual event."

Morag, who is a member of the Deveron Amateur Swimming Club, was selected to represent Scotland and Northern Ireland at the event at RAF Cranwell on the back of fantastic results.

The teenager, part of 1296 (Turriff) Squadron ATC, won four gold medals at the Aberdeen and North-east Scotland Wing contest in the summer.

She cruised to victory in the 50m breast stroke, fly, backstroke and 100m individual medley, and her performance helped the squadron take the overall girls' title.

Morag then went on to represent the wing at the regional championships in Rosyth, and took a medal of every colour back home to Turriff.

Cadet Sergeant Morag Campbell, represented Scotland and Northern Ireland region at the ATC national championships at RAF Cranwell.

Three other cadets from the squadron - Corporal Jake Ferguson, Cadet Kirsty MacDonald and Cadet Iona Campbell - were also selected to represent the wing at the tournament.

Flight Lieutenant Alan Campbell, officer commanding the Turriff squadron, said they were extremely proud of Morag's achievements.

He added: "It is rare to have a cadet on the squadron get selected to represent the region in a Corps Championship, and while we understand her disappointment at not placing in an individual event, she was part of the team that took a medal in the relay race which is no mean feat given the standard of competition."

* Deveron ASC member Calum Burkinshaw has risen through the ranking system to become the top swimmer for his age in the country.

He represented the club in the North District Distance meet in the 800m and 1,500m distances - the first time he has competed in those events.

Putting in two strong and powerful swims, he was placed first for his age group with a time of 9.47.28 for the 800m, and 18.52.59 for the 1,500m.

These times rank Calum as the No 1 12-year-old in Scotland for these events.

l.carter@banffshire-journal.co.uk

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