Swim Ulster Development Gala

EIGHTEEN swimmers headed to Newry swimming Pool last weekend for the third Swim Ulster Development gala of the year.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Feb 2013, 08:00 BST

The day started with arguably the toughest race, the 200 IM. Ruby McNiff swam an 8 second PB and took the first bronze medal of the day in a time of 3.38.46. Hannah Hubert, Ellie Wright, Jami Wilson, Jessica Robinson and Charlotte Farson all finished in the top 10 in their age groups. For the boys, Patrick Doyle and Ryan Armstrong had great swims finishing in 10th and 7th place respectively.

The 50 freestyle produced two silver medals. Ellie Wright and Patrick Doyle swam brilliantly and were justifiably beaming with their medals which were won in times of 38.51 and 37.41.Aidn Quinn, Jami Wilson and Rachel Allenby all finished in the top 10.

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The 100 backstroke came next and Ruby McNiff narrowly missed out on a medal but achieved a qualifying time of 1.35.36 to help her progress to the next stage of progression, the Swim Ulster Graded Galas. Patrick Doyle also came 4th in this event swimming a time of 1.40.98. There were plenty of top 10 finishes in this event with Hannah Hubert and Ryan Armstrong finishing 5th and Jessica Robinson and Dawson Patterson finishing 6th.

The afternoon session started with the 200 backstroke. Jessica Robinson took silver in a time of 3.27.53 and Ruby McNiff and Ryan Armstrong won bronze in times of 3.24.37 and 3.17.21, Ruby also securing a second qualifying time. Though missing out on medals, Aidin Quinn, Charlotte Farson, Hannah Hubert and Declan McGeown all had great swims and finished in the top 10 in their age groups.

Zoe Kilpatrick arrived for the afternoon session and wasted no time in getting down to business by winning a silver medal in 100 breast in a time of 54.47. Aidin Quinn and Sam Johnston both claimed bronze, their times being 56.29 54.52 respectively. Ellie Wright came 4th in this event, whilst Jami Wilson and James Smith came 7th with Niall McGeown finishing 9th.Special mention goes to Jennifer Morrow who was competing in her first development gala and came 4th in the 50m breast with a time of 56.90.

The final event of the day was the 100 fly. The brave Zoe Kilpatrick swam a super race finishing in 2nd place in 1.47.39.Jami Wilson also finished the day with a great swim, finishing 4th in 1.56.24.