The 50m long course Bangor Aurora pool was the challenge that 15 Enniskillen Lakelanders plunged into head on on Saturday.

The Bangor Long Course championship was the first long course race of the season and the Lakelanders sent some of their more experienced swimmers as well as some of their younger swimmers for their debuts at this distance.

Ellie McCartney and Sorcha Lavelle were among the medals for the Lakelanders at this competitive event.

Ellie was keen to develop her experience and stroke knowledge. The 11-year-old is a breaststroke specialist but had also entered the 100m and 200m Freestyle. Both freestyle distances saw Ellie achieving new Long Course PBs as well as a top 20 place out of more than 80 swimmers in the Open competition.

Ellie excelled herself in her favourite event the 200m Breaststroke winning the Gold medal after lying in third position at 150m. The young Lakelander doubled her money in the 100m breaststroke also coming from behind to take gold. The most exciting race of the day was the 50m breaststroke in which Ellie won bronze with four Lakelanders in the top five.

Sorcha Lavelle competed in five events at this competition including the 100m and 200m breaststroke where she finished fourth and third respectively, the 50m Butterfly where she finished fourth and the 100m backstroke in which she claimed eighth and a 10second PB.

Her best was to come in the final heat of the 50m Breaststroke where Sorcha was up against three fellow Lakelanders and followingh an exciting finish Sorcha got the touch to win the heat and take home silver, just ahead of team-mate Ellie Sorcha has been struggling with her fitness this season but is looking forward to getting back to a full training programme in the pool.

The youngest competitors were 10 year olds Isobel Lannon and Anna McDade who were competing for the first time at a long course gala.

Isobel had a great swim in the 100m backstroke taking an impressive 13 seconds from her previous time, she also had fantastic swims in her next three events, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle, achieving three more PBS and narrowly missing out on Development times in both the backstroke and freestyle so all in all a really positive result for the afternoon.

Anna competed in three events, the 50m backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, also achieving three PB’s and narrowly missing out on a qualifying time in the 50m Breaststroke by less than half a second.

Rachel Evans had her best gala for some time with three PBs out of the four events she took part in. She scored her first PB in the 100m breaststroke with a time that qualifies for Division One in July. Next were two fourth places in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, the latter being a fabulous last heat with team mates Ellie McCartney and Sorcha Lavelle, as all three were neck and neck for the whole race.

Lakelanders were certainly noticed in this event as the three green caps in adjoining lanes got the Announcer very excited as they pushed for the finish. This gala sets Rachel up well to push on for more Division One times in upcoming galas.

Caitlin Love and Caitlin Martin also competed in a number events at this gala getting some Long Course Practice in for the Spring Qualifying Gala coming up in February.

Kealan McShea (14) chose to forego his strongest and favoured backstroke to compete in different events. In the 400m freestyle he swam to a huge 17.20sec PB and achieved an Ulster Age Group Qualifying time, finishing in seventh place. The 200m freestyle resulted in another PB of 10.06 sec and another UAG qualifying time. He finished the day with two strong swims in the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.

Jack Maravelakis swam in five events on Saturday, 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 200m IM and 50m breaststroke, all great swims with 2 PBs on the day and all after the holidays where not much training was had. No medals this time although he was in the fastest heat every time with top five swimmers aged 17+. Jack placed sixth, seventh and eighth in his best events, not bad for a 15year old.

Fourteen-year-old Lewis McCartney participated in four events on Saturday. For the first time in an external competition he swam the 100m backstroke and just missed out on a PB to finish 13th overall. Lewis finished 11th in the 200m freestyle and 18th in the popular 100m freestyle. Lewis saved his best for last with a new PB in the 50m freestyle and a 10th place finish.

Connor McKenzie has been absent from competitive swimming last season and was delighted to get back in the pool. Connor competed in his favourite stroke the 100m freestyle. Connor secured a two second PB and was fastest Lakelander at Bangor. He is looking forward to a busy season ahead.

Ben Lynch competed well in the 200m backstroke finishing in 2mins 46 secs with a seven second PB. He also competed in the 200m freestyle, 100m fly and 100m freestyle.

Jake Cadden (11) was delighted to be back in the pool after a two month absence due to sickness. He was hoping to see how near he was to a divisional time in the 100m backstroke as he now must swim the 12/13 year old age group. Jake did exceptionally well by attaining his first Division Two time for the 2017 season which now qualifies him to attend the IAG in Limerick again this year. He needed 1.25.08 and achieved a time of 1.21.85.

Jason Man participated in the 100m breaststroke and the 100m freestyle achieving a four second PB in the later event. Josh Man achieved his Swim Ulster Qualifying Time in the 100m breaststroke with a 3.32 second PB. Another two second PB in the 100m Free meant that HE just missed out on a second qualifying time.