Bann Swimmers power to personal bests in Larne

As usual a busy day lay ahead with the swimmers aiming for PBs, new times or qualifying times for the next stage.

The first eventine was 100 IM for boys. In the nine year old category Peter Bigley set new personal best times in the 100 IM as well as his 100m back and 100m free. Sam Johnston also notched up a PB in his 100m free and finished first in 200m breaststroke for nine year olds and achieved a qualifying time for Swim Ulster Qualifying meet.

In the 10 year old category, the swimmers enjoyed more success with personal best times across the board. Rachel Allenby took an impressive 31 seconds off her 200m free and set new times in 200m back and 100m breast. Rachel Blemmings also set new personal best times in her three events, 200m free, 200m back and 100m breast.

Zoe Kilpatrick also swam well with PBs in 200m free and 100m breast, with another by coming in third in 100m fly and a qualifying time in 400m freestyle. Aidin Quinn and Kathryn McGrath also impressed with PBs in all their events 200m free, 200m back and 100m breast and the 10 year old girls clocked up overall third, fourth and fifth in the 100m breast. Kathryn also achieved a qualifying time in her first 400m free event.

The young swimmers where impressing across the board and the 10 year old boys also showed how the hard training was paying off. Dawson Patterson recorded PBs in all four events 100m free, 200m breast and third in 100 IM and second in 100m back. Evan Calvert also swam in the 100m freestyle with a personal best being recorded. Adam Wilson took part in fpour events enjoying PBs in all four, 100m free, third in 100m back, third in 200m breast and achieving qualifying times in 200m breast and 200m IM.

The BASC swimmers were demonstrating some strong swimming and in the 11 year old girls category Jami Wilson continued to improve her personal best times both in 200m free and finishing third in 100m fly. Jami also recorded new PBs in 200m back and 400m freestyle. Ellie Wright, looking for another qualifying time swam well, finishing third in her 200m back and first in 200m free. Her freestyle time was not only a qualifying time for the next stage but an Ulster Age Group and Irish Division Two time.

Declan McGeown in the 11 year old boys category had a successful gala, he also PBed in all four events. All were top five finishes including third in 200m breast which was also a qualifying time, as was his fifth in 200 IM. His other events were 100m back and 100m free, in which he was fractions off adding another two qualifying times.

The 12 and 13 year old group was represented by Erin Smith, Hannah Hubert and Charlotte Farson. Erin recorded a PB in 100m breast and had top five finishes and PBs in 100m fly and 200m free. Hannah Hubert finished her 100m breast and 200m freestyle in personal best times and third in the free plus added a second place and qualifying time in her 200m backstroke event. Charlotte Farson also set a new personal best time in 400m freestyle and improved her previous best in 100m breast.

The young swimmers impressed their coaches and parents with every swimmer achieving personal best times in all events, including top three finishes in various events and seven of the swimmers recording nine qualifying times for Swim Ulster qualifying meets.

Congratulations to all who took part, and to the coaches who have helped deliver this impressive set of results. There will be further opportunities for swimmers to record new or improved times at upcoming Antrim Championships, Ards Open meet and Swim Ulster Open Gala in the coming months.