SWIMMER Sharon Read is heading for uncharted waters with an appearance in a national finals.
The 15-year-old has competed in the national championships of her native South Africa, but next month competes for the first time against the cream of British swimmers.
Sharon, who came to this country four years ago, had a three-year lay-off from swimming but began serious training again last September after moving to Northallerton College.
She now makes the trek from Northallerton to train in Middlesbrough every weekday evening and three mornings a week, spending up to three hours a day in the water.
She said: "It takes up a lot of time. I don't go out much at nights and I see my Northallerton friends at weekends, if I'm not competing in a gala."
Sharon, who was second in the South African championships when she was ten, will compete in the 50m freestyle event for her age group in the national championships, at Coventry, on August 7.
She will also take part in the 4x50m relay for her Middlesbrough Swimming Club team.
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