Two Lakelander swimmers took part in last weekend’s Irish National Short Course Championships with both Ellie McCartney and Jack Maravelakis producing good performances.
The first weekend in December has now become the traditional weekend for the Championships organised by Swim Ireland.
Held in Lisburn, this is the first opportunity for National level swimmers to sound out where they are in relation to their end of season form.
There is some confusion as to whether times at this event will count towards qualification for the Irish Age Groups in the summer but the swimmers wanted to make their mark including GB’s most successful Rio Paralympion, Bethany Firth. Although five Enniskillen Lakelanders qualified, only two club members were able to compete.
Ellie McCartney was competing in a National Open competition, without Age Group events, for the first time and really enjoyed the experience. Ellie was one of only four 11 year olds in the competition and the 11 year old had qualified for three events but decided only to compete in the 200m Breaststroke on Sunday seeded 52nd out of almost 70 swimmers.
The Enniskillen swimmer swam a fantastic race to finish with a new short course six second personal best to finish 27th fastest female 200m Breaststroker in Ireland. An unbelievable achievement for a swimmer so young when swimming against most people who were between two and 10 years older. The experience of this event will stand Ellie in good stead as the season progresses.
Jack Maravelakis enjoyed the experience. Jack performed well in the gala, swimming in both the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, he has gained valuable experience in a very high profile open competition. The seniors now look ahead to the Ulster Short Course Championships from December 16-18 in Bangor.