Lakelanders Aquasprints Junior League Team Off to a Flying Start with Thrilling Win
The 1st event of the year for Enniskillen Lakelanders in the Aquasprint Junior league, took place on Saturday 25th January against Armagh in the Orchard Leisure Centre. 42 swimmers born between 2012 and 2008 took to the pool. There was lots of excitement especially for thirteen swimmers who had never swum in a competitive gala previously.
The Aquasprint league, sponsored by Forest Feast, is a starting point for the younger swimmers to compete in all strokes in individual and relays over 25m. Aquasprints are a great opportunity for children to build on what they have been learning in the pool with coaches Claire and Aaron and then add speed to this in a competitive environment.
Aquasprint events always start with the Individual Medley Relays (Back, Breast, Butterfly & Freestyle). Lakelanders Group A saw three new swimmers Martha McCreesh, Sam Curran and Harvey Simmons take to the water along with Emma Speer and ran out easy winners over the Armagh team. For Group B again Katie James made her debut along with Luke Lannon, Beth Jones and Ryan Mongan who despite working well as a team finished a close second. Group C pulled it back in style with a winning margin of 9 seconds. With two out of 3 relays in the bag, Group D were very determined to show they could do the same. With top swimmers from both clubs pitted against each other, the Lakelanders team of Kate McDade, Hannah Lynch, Jamie Lannon and Tom Buchanan edged it by just 1.5 secs with a roaring crowd behind them. After taking 3 out of 4 relay the Lakelanders were off to a flying start and headed into the individual races in high spirits.
In the Backstroke races Armagh and Lakelanders finished with equal points thanks to great swims by the new young swimmers in their first gala including Harvey Simmons, Sam Curran, Julijana McGourty and Katie James and also new PB swims for Erin Farry and Ryan Aiken. Crucially the Lakelanders still retained their lead from the previous relays.
Breaststroke next, a stroke the Lakelanders usually dominate and as expected everyone swam to form with wins going to Emma Speer, Ava Neal, Ellie Dunlop and Adam Forster. 2nd and 3rd spots went to Sam Curran, Katie James Luke Lannon, Ryan Mongan Holly James, Sarah Speer, Patrick Toal , Kate McDade , Jamie Lannon and Oliver Mooney. Good swims were also recorded by Martha McCreesh, Beth Jones, Josh Cassidy, Hannah Lynch, Rory Aiken and Tom Buchanan. After this round the lakelanders had stretched their lead further and the score was 106 to 94.
In the Butterfly races for many young Lakelanders it was their 1st such event and so as coach Sara Lannon and team manager Aideen Speer watched in anticipation the swimmers didn't disappoint. Crucial wins went to Emma Speer, Madeline Curran, Ellie Dunlop and Patrick Toal. Close 2nds went to Martha McCreesh, Ava Neal, Adam Forster and Jamie Lannon. Great swims were also recorded by Enda Burke , Sennan Burke, Holly James, Sarah Speer, Hannah Lynch, Kate McDade, Nerida Kudabaite and Tom Buchanan.
The Lakelanders had done well again and had stretched their lead once more to 16 points.
In the Freestyle event Armagh staged a comeback to take a win despite Emma Speer, Ellie Dunlop and Patrick Toal hitting first spots with Martha McCreesh, Luke Lannon, Holly James, Adam Forster and Jamie Lannon hitting second spots. Harvey Simmons, Beth Jones, Josh Cassidy, Erin Farry , Senan Burke, Nerida Kudabaite, Hannah Lynch, Tom Buchanan and Oliver Mooney all swam well.
And so as the individual races finished and with Armagh having closed the points gap, the scene was set for a nail biting finish with the Freestyle Relay races
Groups A and B started with very close second spots but group C made up of Holly James, Ellie Dunlop, Adam Forster and Patrick Toal hit their stride to win for the Lakelanders. In the final noisy relay of the night group D did their best but they were beaten by the narrowest of margins.
And so with the lakelanders having lost three out of the four Freestyle relays all eyes were on the scoreboard to see if their earlier dominance had carried them through to a team win. Cheers rang out when the result was announced: Armagh 197 with Lakelanders 203...A win for the Lakelanders...cue rapturous applause and smiles all around.
Team Manager Aideen Speer praised the efforts of the young Lakelanders, 13 of whom had never been to a competitive event before, saying 'what an enjoyable event and I'm so proud of all our swimmers who together have got us off to a great start in this year's Aquasprints league'.
The MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers) award for the girls went to Emma Speer and Ellie Dunlop who both secured four firsts in their individual events whilst for the Boys Adam Forster was the top boy with two first places and two second places along as well as helping his team to two relays wins.
Lakelanders Chairperson Sara Lannon acknowledged the time, effort and expense it takes to give the commitment to swimming saying, 'I'm so pleased our swimmers got a positive result for their fabulous efforts tonight, but I also want to thank all the wonderful parents for their help, encouragement and commitment to their children'. 'All our top swimmers started out in the Aquasprints and there is no better introduction to the fun of a swimming gala, no better way to encourage team bonding and friendships that last all the way through their journey in competitive swimming, well done to all'
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