Lisa Blackburn fell just short of the qualifying standard for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at last weekend’s Schroders Spring Championships at Saltus Grammar School.

Blackburn set both a Bermuda and BASA pool record in the girls’ 15 and over 50?metres breaststroke final with a time of 32.96sec, just one tenth of a second off meeting the standard for the Games, which run from July 23 to August 3.

Roy-Allan Burch, who has already reached the standard for the Games, returned from his North Carolina training base to break his own national records in the boys’ 15 and over 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle finals.

Burch set a time of 26.56 in the 50 backstroke and 22.24 in the 50 freestyle.

Richard Goodwin, the national team and Sharks Swim Club coach, said: “Having our big Shark, Roy-Allan Burch, back on Island was a treat for all spectators at the BASA pool over the weekend.

“You could hear the crowd gasp at the sheer speed and power of his swims, and his amazing technique.

“He will be staying on Island for this week while giving motivational talks at several Bermuda public schools as well as conducting sessions to young swimmers and masters at the BASA pool.”

Jesse Washington, preparing for next month’s Carifta Championships in Aruba, lowered his own national records in the 50 fly in a time of 27.09 and 100 backstroke finals in 1min 2.89sec. He was competing in the 13-14 age group category.

Washington also tied his 100 freestyle record in the 100 freestyle in 53.98. The teenager leaves the Island this weekend along with his mentor Burch for a training camp in Charlotte.

Ashley Irby, in the 11-12 age category, produced six personal bests as she continued her preparations for Carifta, as did Isabelle Dutranoit, who is warming up for her Carifta debut, in the 13-14 age group.

Irby set two age group records in the 800 freestyle and 200 freestyle finals, with impressive times of 10:14.77 and 2:16.89 respectively.

Shannon Hassell returned to form with four personal bests, moving up an age group having recently turned 15, while Maddie Moore had seven personal-best swims and eight age group records in the 13-14 age group.

Harbour Amateur Swim Club were led by Emma Harvey in the 11-12 age category, setting national records in the 100 and 200 individual medley as well as the 50 and 100 fly and 200 backstroke.

The improving Nick Brando, who has forced his way into the Carifta squad with significant improvements, managed to break the 200 backstroke national record with a time of 2:34.82 in the 11-12 age group.

The record had previously been held by Burch, a two-times Olympian, who was able to offer his congratulations to the youngster.