The Bangor Open Championships proved to be another successful outing for the Enniskillen Lakelanders and as they arrived home with a handful of medals and a string of personal best times.
The meeting took place on Sunday June 5 and the Enniskillen Lakelanders were well represented in all age groups. The morning session began with swimmers 10 years and younger in a short course pool.
Carla Jardine, appearing in her first Bangor Gala swam in the Breaststroke, Freestyle and Backstroke, achieving PB’s in all three events and taking 3.5 seconds off her backstroke time.
Cora Cassidy started off her race with the 25m Freestyle taking 3 seconds of her original time. Next came the breaststroke and again she performed well well before finishing off with the backstroke and another personal best. This was great racing by Cora as all her early morning sessions are paying off.
Annabel Morrison had a great day’s swimming at her first time in Bangor Aurora. She achieved a gold medal in the Breaststroke and two PBs in her other strokes. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
10 year old Ciosa McConnell, participated in 25 m races in each stroke, achieving PBs in all four events; proving that hard work and determination are paying off for her.
Isobel Lannon had a successful morning achieving PB’s in all her races. She competed in the Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and 100 IM where she gained experience and learnt valuable lessons.
Younger brother, Jamie, also had a great swim in the under 8 Freestyle – only his second gala this year.
The afternoon session saw the pool converted from a 25m pool to a 50m pool (long course) where most swimmers were hoping to achieve some last minute divisional times.
Jake Cadden (10) had a very successful day where he competed in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
He gained two medals in the morning session, silver in the backstroke and bronze in the 100m.
The afternoon session which was 11 years and younger saw Jake achieve top 10 finishes in both races as well as a PB in the 200m IM where he narrowly missed his fourth division 2 time by 1 second. Jake now looks forward to IAG Divison 2 at the end of the month in Limerick.
Kealan McShea entered three races in the 12-14 year old age group.
In his first swim the 200IM he swam a 4 sec personal best. In the200m Backstroke he finished in fifth place and in the 100m Freestyle had a great swim to finish in the top 10.
Niamh O’Kane continued making waves, excelling in 100M Freestyle in Bangor, coming second in her heat.
Niamh completed the 100m Freestyle in 1:09:44 qualifying for Irish Swim Divisionals in Limerick at the end of June.
Niamh charged through the water finishing her first 50m in 33:24, accomplishing a PB for 50m Freestyle.
Brother and sister Connor and Tara McKenzie took the last opportunity to improve on their PBs and, if lucky enough, to get some more Division 2 times before Limerick.
Connor took park in 200m IM and received a PB. Connor also took part in 100m Fly and 200 m Freestyle finishing in the top five. He finished off the day with 50m Freestyle finishing in third place bringing home a bronze.
Tara started the day with 200m IM and got a new PB and second Division Time. She then completed her favourite, the 100m Breaststroke and couldn’t believe it when she attained a new PB and a division one time. She finished off the day with 200m Breaststroke and 50m Breaststroke, gaining new PBs.
Tara will now be making her way to the Division One Swimming Competition in Dublin in July.
Ellie McCartney swam in three events on Sunday and fresh from winning all her races in the AquaSprint Final on Friday night she continued her winning ways with medals in each event. The 11 year old won the 100m Breaststroke by 7 seconds and the 200m Breaststroke by 11 seconds to finish the domestic season unbeaten in both events. Ellie also won a silver medal in the 100m Freestyle.
Thirteen year old Lewis McCartney ended the day with two top 10 finishes. 10th in the 200m IM with a new 6 second PB and seventh in the 50m Freestyle.
Caitlin Martin, Ben Lynch and Rachel Evans also attended this event gaining valuable experience ahead of their IAG competitions in June and July.