My name is Caitlin and I am 14 years old and I swim for Tonbridge Swimming Club. I started swimming lessons when I was 4 and joined TSC at age 7. I began competing at 9 and haven’t stopped ever since. I have competed at the Kent County Championships for the past 4 years and have won 27 County titles. County success has led on to Regional success as well, having won about 15 Regional titles. I have won all 3 backstroke titles (50m, 100m and 200m) at regional level for the past 3 years in a row. During those three years I have represented Kent at the National Inter-Counties competition and have been part of the South East Schools team at National Inter-Divisional championships. I am mainly a Backstroke specialist but I have developed my Butterfly and Individual Medley racing in recent years as well. I am currently ranked in the Top 10 in GB in my age group in 11 events and I am no.1 in GB in the 200m Backstroke.

When I can, I also compete in athletics for Tonbridge Athletics Club. I throw Discus, Hammer and Shot Putt at open meets and at County, Regional and National level. I have represented Kent at Inter-County events and at English Schools Athletics Nationals for the past 2 seasons. In July 2019, I won a Silver medal in the Junior Girls Discus at English Schools Nationals (to go with the silver I won at the swimming English Schools Swimming Nationals in the same year) a week before heading out to Baku for the European Youth Olympics for swimming.

Most memorable sporting achievement to date

Representing Team GB at European Youth Olympics in Baku, qualifying for the semi-final in the 100m Backstroke

Biggest sporting disappointment to date

Losing the Open 200m Backstroke Final at the 2018 SE Regional Winter Championships, having led the entire race and lost by 0.01 sec to my 18 year old rival

Most respected sportsperson

Missy Franklin – Swimming (former quadruple US Olympic Gold medallist and former 200m Backstroke World Record Holder)

Ritual before sporting competition

For all Backstroke races, when entering the water I jump in vertically, feet first, and cover my ears with both my hands to prevent water from getting in my ears.