News
October 30th 2013
Swadlincotes Corporal Hannah Parker named national swimming star
Saturday 26th October 2013 saw Corporal (Cpl) Hannah Parker, swim to victory, winning two gold medals.
Hannah, aged 15 years, from 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron Air Training Corps travelled to Royal Air Force (RAF) College Cranwell in Lincolnshire to compete in the Air Cadet National Swimming competition against other cadets from all over the UK.
On the day, the first race Cpl Parker found herself competing in, involved the Individual Medley Relay which combined four different swimming styles – Butterfly, Breast Stroke, Back Stroke and Front Crawl which, seen her beat off stiff competition from other female swimmers within her age group, reaching 1st place and being awarded with her 1st Gold Medal. The second race Cpl Parker claimed her 2nd victory in, in the form of a 2nd gold medal involved the Freestyle Relay.
Upon reaching this fantastic achievement Cpl Parker said: “It was a very nerve racking wait before the races but the whole team cheered everyone on once the races had started, and the adrenaline took over as I was swimming which made me more determined and focused on winning.”
In order to receive the opportunity to compete in such a high level of competition, since the beginning of September 2013, Cpl Parker has also competed in another two swimming competitions at other levels, in order to be selected for the national team.
The first competition saw Cpl Parker travel with her swimming team from 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron to compete against other air cadets from local Squadrons in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. After becoming successful in this competition, Cpl Parker then got selected to move up to the Regional Swimming Competition, which saw her fight off tough competition against other air cadets from as far afield as Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Members of Staff and fellow cadets from 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron are delighted to hear of the news and are very proud of their very own Swimming Champion.
1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron opens its doors four times a year to prospective new cadets, male and female aged between 13 – 17years.
For more information on joining the air cadet organisation in your area, please contact the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Alyn Thompson at oc.1211@aircadets.org or by phone on 01283 212629.
