Livingston swimming star set for Polish test

Dec 1 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

WORLD junior and triple Commonwealth youth champion Craig Benson dives into his first-ever senior international event in Poland later this month.

The 17-year-old will be jetting off to Szczecin in Poland for the European Short Course Championships to test himself against some top competitors.

The Livingston swimmer has just returned from a Bath-based training camp with the cream of Britain’s breaststroke swimmers alongside Commonwealth 200m silver medallist Michael Jamieson, who is also bound for Eastern Europe.

And after a dream year that has seen him clinch a European junior silver, world junior gold and silver, and three Commonwealth youth titles, Benson can’t wait to join Jamieson and Co. in Poland.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to Poland.

“I’m so excited but also a little bit nervous because I don’t know that many people on the team, but I’m excited mainly.

“I think Michael Jamieson is the yardstick at the moment.

“He was at the training camp as well and he will be in Poland.

“I spoke to him a few times and he’s definitely someone I want to learn from.

“He’s the top British 100m breaststroke swimmer at the moment and he’ll be looking for an Olympic medal next year.

“But for me personally I’d like to make it to a final in Poland and set a few personal bests – although I don’t know what to expect really.”

Benson’s phenomenal year in the pool clearly hasn’t gone unnoticed as he has been recognised by the Sunday Mail Scottish Sports Awards panel where he has been named on a shortlist of three for the Young Sports Person of the Year being held tonight.

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