PORTLAND swimmer Jay Lelliott recorded three lifetime bests as several emerging members of Tornadoes of South Dorset proved their potential at the British Gas Youth & Age Group Nationals at Ponds Forge in Sheffield with a string of fine performances.

The 12-day competition saw 15-year-old Lelliott produce his first personal best in the 200m butterfly where he finished in a time of 2mins 13.71secs to beat several British elite ranked swimmers and claim 10th spot.

This was a remarkable performance considering his previous British ranking in the discipline was 17th.

Despite competing in the nationals for the first time at the bottom end of his double age banding (15 to 16 years), Lelliott was determined not to just stop there.

He moved up the British rankings list again in the hotly-contested 200m backstroke where he recorded another lifetime best of 2.14.55mins to claim 13th spot, a vast improvement on his previous ranking of 30th.

After finishing first in the South West region in both those events, Lelliott was determined to continue his impressive showing with another positive display in the 100m backstroke – and he did not disappoint.

The teenager pushed himself to the limit and claimed another personal best of 1.02.53mins with splits of 30.2secs and 32.33secs. That was enough to hand him 15th place in a discipline where he was previously ranked 31st.

Tornadoes head coach Phil Daniels, who took Lelliott under his coaching wing back in December 2009, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Jay’s hard and unstinting work in training, his positive attitude and sheer commitment, which is all second to none. Because of that it is no surprise to now see him reaping the benefits.

“He has moved up the British rankings dramatically and I am very pleased for him. His target now for next year’s nationals is to make the semi-finals, and I have no doubt he will succeed.”

First time British Youth National qualifier Tom John, South Dorset’s other 15-year-old star, also backed up his budding reputation by moving up to 20th in the British rankings in the 200m breaststroke. He also finished 17th in the 100m equivalent.

In the British age groups section, 11-year-old Lucy Goode impressed by reaching the final of the 200m backstroke in a personal best time of 2.38.45mins, which was a whole two seconds faster than her entry time.

Goode ended up finishing eighth overall, which saw her claim second in the South West region and first in Dorset.

South Dorset’s other age group swimmer, 14-year-old Tom Mules, put in a powerful performance in the 200m butterfly and was placed 21st in his age group with a time of 2.18.95mins, which was a new lifetime best. That was enough to hand him fourth in the South West region and first in Dorset.

Mules also competed in the 100m freestyle where he matched his entry time of 56secs and finished 21st again.

Daniels added: “Tom moves up into British National Youth next year, so we can expect to see him build on this year’s Age Group Nationals and his previous England Nationals, as he moves into the bigger league of youth swimming.”

Back refreshed from a day’s rest, Goode returned to action in the very competitive 200m butterfly event where she finished 19th overall in 2.49.89mins, which was enough to beat her previous best by one second. That performance handed her second in the South West region and first in Dorset.

Daniels said: “I believe age group swimming at national level is the hardest for swimmers. If they come through that phase successfully and gain experience each year, they mature much easier into youth swimming, which stands them in very good stead. So, I am pleased South Dorset swimmers are well on their way in that respect.”

Anyone who would like an assessment to join the South Dorset Performance Squad or the newly-formed Junior Development Squad, or just wants to learn to swim, can contact Sharon Howe on 814105 or email secretary.tornadoesdorset@virgin.net