21
May
Harrogate A level pupil earns first senior national swimming squad call-ups
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A Harrogate Grammar School pupil will be representing his country in the swimming pool for the first time at senior level this summer.
Gabe Shepherd, 18, has been called up to the England squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, and has also been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris the following month as part of the 4x200m men’s freestyle relay.
His selection comes after a series of dazzling performances at last month's Aquatics GB Championships in London, where he was the only junior swimmer to reach the open A-finals in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle.
His time in the 200m freestyle broke the English 18-year-old age group record, previously held by Team GB stalwart and Olympic gold medallist James Guy MBE.
Gabe, who is currently sitting his A levels, started swimming at Harrogate Hydro with Harrogate District Swimming Club, but now trains twice a day, before and after school, with City of Leeds Swimming Club.
Announcing the news, Harrogate Grammar School’s Facebook post said:
It’s going to be a busy summer for Gabe after his exams and we’ll certainly be supporting and cheering him on in his competitions. We wish him the best of luck.
City of Leeds Swimming Club posted:
A phenomenal achievement and a fitting reward for his performances. Bring on Paris. Let’s go Gabe!
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