WARRIORS of Warrington swimmer Kathleen Dawson is “in disbelief” about her medal-laden performance at the European Championships, writes Matt Turner.

The 18-year-old brought home a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke event before forming part of the 4x100m medley team that won a gold medal for Great Britain.

The former Great Sankey High School student says she is just about starting to get used to life as a European champion.

“I think it’s just about sunk in, but only just,” she said.

“I went into the Euros as one of the younger members of the squad, not expecting much other than to pick up experience.

“To bring home two medals is an absolutely unbelievable feeling.”

After her backstroke bronze, Dawson teamed up with Fran Halsall, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Chloe Tutton to win medley gold.

“I touched the wall to finish and I thought I’d done quite well,” she said.

“I turned round and saw I’d come third and I was in complete shock and disbelief.

“The gold medal capped things off brilliantly. To think I wasn’t expected to do much, this is a massive achievement for me.”

The performance in London is the pinnacle of Dawson’s fledgling career, which saw her first become involved with Warriors of Warrington when she was nine years old.

The young star, who has just sat her A-Level exams with the hope of gaining a place at Stirling University, hopes this is just the beginning of a prosperous career and has her eyes firmly fixed on the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“When I was in primary school my goal was to swim at the Olympics so to come this far is surreal,” she said.

“My dream now is to break the world record for the 100m backstroke and win an Olympic gold, and I believe with the support I have around me I can achieve this.”