Youngsters from the City of St Albans (CoStA) swimming club brought home a bumper haul of medals from this year’s county championships.

Sixty-two swimmers qualified for the annual meet and returned with 72 medals in total, including 15 gold.

The championships, which are the first formal rung on a ladder that runs through regionals, nationals and ultimately ends up at World Championships and the Olympics, saw competitors participating in 393 individual races and 12 relays over three consecutive weekends.

One of CoStA’s most promising stars was 11 year-old Lucy Coia-Bell, who achieved an exceptional five gold medals.

Sisters Shannon Stott, 15, and Lauren Stott, 13, each brought home two golds, as did 10 year-old Kieran Birkett.

Jess Patrick, 12, and Grace Wylie, 14, came away with a gold medal each, while the club also secured the top spot in the senior girls’ freestyle and medley relay events.

In addition to the stash of medals, 24 CoStA swimmers achieved 74 regional qualifying times, setting them on their way to competing against the best swimmers from across the East region later this year.

Many more of the club’s swimmers were less than a second off a regional time.

CoStA head coach Mike Cole said: “Our success at the Counties is testament to the hard work and commitment our swimmers put into their training each and every week.

“It was wonderful to see so many of them win medals and even more achieve personal bests.

“We’re now looking ahead to the regionals.”