Several local swimmers were at their best at the recent Winter Age Group Championships at the Saltus pool.National swimming coach Ben Smith, who also coaches Sharks, said he was encouraged by the performances of the Island’s young swimmers.“We would like to congratulate the swimmers that were able to win age group champions as this was a great accomplishment against strong competition,” he said.“The hard work and focus that we have seen from most of our swimmers since September paid off with the results that we had at the meet.“Almost all of our competitors had multiple personal best times and they were able to maintain their focus and energy through the three days of competition.”Sophie Froud had an outstanding meet, setting four out of five personal best times and coming agonisingly close to hitting her second Carifta qualifying time in several of her events.Philip Hagen swam personal best times in all of his events two at an AA level, while Vaughn Rowse took 40 seconds off his personal best in the 1500 metres, finishing with an A time in the 17-18 age group.Rowse also swam a strong 400 metres freestyle in which he finished with a personal best AA time after dropping four seconds.Jessie Thomas and Jesse Washington both set personal bests in all their events.Added Smith: “All in all a very successful meet for our Sharks and for the swimmers of Bermuda. We look forward to the continued improvement into 2013.”Sharks coach Robert DeSilva was also impressed with the amount of effort put in by his young swimmers.He said: “Since September they have worked extremely hard, both at land training as well as in the pool, and that effort paid off handsomely over the weekend.”Jessica Bruton was the eight and under champion and also set two new age group records.Skyler Powell set five personal bests on her way to becoming the 9-10 age group champion with Holly Bruton a close second after a hard-fought battle.Nine-year-old Keagan Woolley enjoyed a couple of strong swims which produced A times and propelled him to second place in the overall age group standings.Jessyka Haak, Isabelle Dutranoit, Brynn Telenko, Charlotte Faries and Jalen Currin also achieved PBs.Dolphins’ Evan Farrow was the 11-12 Age Group Champion in the 1500 metres freestyle.Brett Smith set the Bermuda 100 metres backstroke record in the 9-10 age group en route to winning the division.Cathal Rynne managed to swim all of his races with an injured shoulder, setting a personal best in the 200 metres backstroke which made his performance all the more impressive.Harbour Swimming Club’s Max McCrimmon was the top swimmer in the boys’ 8-9 age group, pacing his way with three first place finishes in the 100 and 200 metres freestyle and the 100 metres individual medleys.Harbour made a clean sweep in this age category, as Finn Moseley and Charlie Thorpe took second and third places, Moseley winning the 100 metres breaststroke and Thorpe the 100 metres backstroke.In the girls’ under-8 age group, Connie Betts and Kyle Cash finished in second and third place.Jack Harvey displayed his improving abilities with a third-place finish in the 9-10 boys’ age group, finishing first in the 100 metres breaststroke.In the 11 and 12 girls’ age group, Emma Harvey tied for first place as the division winner, with three outstanding swims in the 200 metres freestyle, 200 metres individual medley and 200 metres breaststroke.Alex Pilgrim took third place in the 11 and 12 boys’ age group, with first place swims in the 200 metres individual medley and 200 metres backstroke.The high point of the competition for Harbour Club was Alex McCallum and Brittan Moseley placing second and third respectively in the boys’ 13 and 14 age group.