SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING: County accolade a real Hollo victory (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING: County accolade a real Hollo victory

7:00pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Wiltshire Sport By Dan Barnes

CHIPPENHAM’S Emma Holloway says that she was proud to represent synchronised swimming after being named the Wiltshire Amateur Swimming Association’s Female Swimmer of the Year for 2011 last weekend.

The 18-year-old, from Wishart Way in Pewsham, was presented with the county accolade at the County Synchronised Swimming Championships at Calne Leisure Centre on Sunday.

Holloway, a sixth-form student at Abbeyfield School, made her debut for the Great Britain Junior Squad in July last year and also took part in trials for this year’s Olympics in September.

“The cup went back quite a few years and it was nice to get synchro on there because it’s gone to all different kinds of swimmers,” she said.

“I’m getting ready for the British Championships in March (at the GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester) at the moment.

“It’s the first time I’ll be doing the individual events, which I haven’t done since I was young, so that’s going to be something new for me.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a team swimmer and it’s different because all eyes are on you but you don’t have to worry about anyone else. I just want to see how it goes.”

Holloway did not make the Olympic squad after last year’s surprise trial but revealed that she will be at this summer’s London Games regardless.

“I’ve got tickets to watch (the synchronised swimming) and I know a few of the girls who should make the final squad,” she said.

“(The trials) were an amazing experience and I never really thought that I’d have a chance of making the squad for this year but maybe I’ll be able to do it for the next Olympics.”