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Jessica crowned national champion

Bill McLaughlin
10/11/2005

IRLAM'S Jessica Fletcher has been crowned a 2005 national under 17s synchronized swimming champion.

The 15-year-old and her all-conquering Trafford Synchronized Swimming Club made a big splash at the National Age Group Championships in Walsall.

They proved themselves to be the best of the best and they also swept the board at the recent Northern Counties Championships at Radcliffe Swimming Pool.

Jessica, a former Irlam Primary School pupil who now attends Flixton Girls Grammar School, claimed five medals in the team, duet and solo events at Radcliffe.

She is reaping the rewards for spending the past seven years perfecting her synchronized swimming skills.

Jessica, who trains four or five times a week, said: "This year has been really good but I am hoping for an even better one in 2006.

"Our success is down to us all working as a team - everyone looking out for each other and getting on with the hard work.

"Synchronized swimming is a lot harder than it looks.

"I would love to one day represent England or Great Britain at international level but there are only 10 places in the 'sync' team so it is really hard for anyone to get in."

But with the 2012 London Olympics on the horizon, anything is possible for the level-headed and ambitious Irlam youngster.