JACOB Pillinger led the way as the county’s top young swimmers returned to the pool at the Oxfordshire & North Buckinghamshire Counties Championships.

The first two rounds of the 2022 competition took place at the Leys Pool, in Blackbird Leys, with the third at Aqua Vale, Aylesbury.

Bicester Blue Fins member Pillinger swam brilliantly in Buckinghamshire to become 400m freestyle junior champion, after taking bronze in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle.

The 16-year-old was fifth and fourth respectively in the men’s open, slashing 32 seconds off his personal best in the latter event.

He said: “The long-distance events are my favourite, and the 400m freestyle is an event I really enjoy so I am happy to be junior county champ.”

Teammate Seb Gomm, 16, came seventh in the men’s open with a 30-second personal best.

Meanwhile, Witney & District member Hugo Jinks broke a club record that had stood for almost 30 years in the 800m freestyle.

His time of 8min 58.49secs beat Ian Beck’s mark from 1994, earning him silver in the senior championship.

Teammate Hattie Lever placed second in the junior championship and third in the seniors, thanks to her time of 19.32.67 in the mixed 12 & over 1,500m freestyle.

The youngster was also third in the junior ranks in the 400m individual medley at Aqua Vale.

She was one of 22 top-eight age-group positions for Witney, including nine podiums.

In the 800m events, the club won two bronzes in the ten to 12 age-group relays, plus another in the 13 to 14 bracket.

Meanwhile, Blue Fins’ Evie Scrivener won gold in the girls 11 and under 400m freestyle, beating her previous best by 17 seconds.

Club captain William Jones, 16, secured a five-second personal best to put him sixth in the men’s open for the 400m freestyle, while 13-year-old Josh Scrivener smashed his previous quickest swim by 30 seconds.

There were bronzes for the latter in the individual medley and Eleanor Iles, 14, in the 400m freestyle.

Head coach Craig Oliver said: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic start to the championships with many PBs, medal winners and some junior podium positions.

“These have been from a whole range of age groups, showing the depth in Blue Fins right now.”