Aqualina Artistic Swimming Club has crowned a young national champion and seen another enter into the GB squad.

The club, which is based at Monk's Walk School pool in Welwyn Garden City, took part in the Swim England National Age Groups Championships at the weekend - a national event for ages 15 and under.

Qualification criteria has got stricter since previous years, with both parties needing a silver level grade to qualify for a duet and gold needed for solos.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Dominika from Welwyn Garden City performing her solo routineDominika from Welwyn Garden City performing her solo routine (Image: Aqualina)

Three Aqualina swimmers qualified: Evie I in the 13-15 category, Dominika in the 12 and under category, and Evie H in the age nine-10 category.

In the figures-only category, Evie I competed against 120 others, and finished in 45th place - achieving her goal of finishing in the top 50 per cent.

Dominika, age 11, finished fifth overall in her category, in her first time competing at the event.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Evie H with her gold medalEvie H with her gold medal (Image: Aqualina)

Nine-year-old Evie H - who was also competing for the first time - won in her category and earned her first national title. She also finished in 20th place among the 12 and unders.

Dominika and Evie H did a 'Wednesday Addams' themed duet, and finished in sixth place, while Dominika did her Willy Wonka themed solo and also finished in sixth.

Following the event, GB head coach and team lead Karen Thorpe asked Dominika to join the GB Youth Development Squad, following in the footsteps of her older sister Kiarra - who is currently part of the GB Junior Squad along with fellow Aqualina member Max.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Dominika, Evie H and Evie I with head coach Kerri Clewlow.Dominika, Evie H and Evie I with head coach Kerri Clewlow. (Image: Aqualina)

The championship was judged by head coach Kerri Clewlow, with chairman Tom Brennan, assistant head coach Karen Brennan and coach Alison Isherwood also giving up their time over the weekend.

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Karen Brennan said: "We are so, so proud to have three local swimmers as part of the GB pathway.

"Home-grown talent Domi and Evie H started their artistic swimming journey with KS swim school's artistic swimming section (formerly synchronised swimming) just a short while ago at Monk's Walk pool and have worked so hard to achieve so much so young.

"It is fair to say there were a lot of happy tears this weekend."