By Jonathan Leask  March 11 2010

The Ashburton Swim team returned an excep-tional performance at the national age grade championships recently, returning with seven national titles and finishing 10th overall, third in the South Island.

Josie Kydd claimed four 15 year girls' titles, winning the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly.

The 50m butterfly was also an age group record.

Elizabeth Brown now holds the under 16 100m and 200m butterfly titles, and Sarah O'Grady won the under 15 800m freestyle.

The squad also claimed five silvers, with Kydd taking second in the 200m butterfly and freestyle, Brown in the 400m freestyle and 50m butterfly and O'Grady the 400m freestyle event.

Brown also picked up a bronze in the medley while O'Grady managed four thirds in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke as well as the 200m freestyle.

Grace Sommerville also claimed a bronze in the under 14 400m freestyle.

In the club relay the team entered into the 16 and over relay, with three members under 16, and finished second and had three of the four entrants in the eastern districts relays.

The 10th place finish was an exceptional effort for the team of eight swimmers considering the second placed Wharenui squad had 38 members.

The Ashburton team also produced 15 regional records to go along with Kydd's age group record.

Pictured: Josie Kydd.