Making Waves

Richmond School and Sixth Form College students Hannah Rye and Thom Flower are securing personal bests and a host of medals, cementing their reputations among the best in the country and vindicating the hours they spend in the pool.   A member of Richmond Dales Swimming Club, Hannah swims fly and freestyle and trains eight times a week at 6am and after school. She recently swam in a regional competition in Sunderland, securing a personal best.   “I have been swimming for the past 10 years and hope one day to be selected to compete for Team GB,” said the 16-year-old.   Thom, who competes in front crawl, already has a cache of bronze, silver and gold medals to his name from local, regional and national competitions.   “I love swimming for the social aspect of being part of a club and the time it gives me to think while in the pool,” said the 17-year-old. “I too would love to be selected for Team GB and swim in an Olympics.”   Assistant Headteacher, Leslie Richardson, said: “I have the utmost respect for competitive swimmers and Hannah and Thom show incredible dedication and commitment to their sport, for which they thoroughly deserve their recent successes.”