Aquasprint Squad Win First Round v Newry
28 Jan 2024
Aquasprint Squad Win First Round v Newry
The first Aquasprint of the year for the Enniskillen Lakelanders took place on Saturday evening away to Newry & Mourne Swimming & Waterpolo Club at the Newry Leisure Centre. 46 of their younger swimmers born between 2016 and 2011 took to the pool. There was lots of excitement as they headed up the road on the bus and lots of swimming to be had with an eight lane pool awaiting.
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 Ben and Claire, adding speed to this and a competitive edge.
First up was the Medley Relays (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly & Freestyle). First up was Group A of Niamh Howell, Molly Kate Brewster, Conor Collins and Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad were convincing winners. Next up was Group B where newbie April Huang joined Clara Leonard, Michael Carron and James McSorley another win for the Lakelanders. Group C of Sophie Hanna, Crea Mullen, Daire Burke and Emmett Coyle again led the way. Group D of Martha McCreesh, Myleene Leonard, Anton Neal and Darragh Collins didn’t let the side down with a clean sweep by the Lakelanders, triggering cheers all around.
First individual event was the Backstroke with lots of 1st and 2nd positions spots for the Lakelanders giving maximum points. These included 1st places for Mollie Kate Brewster, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Michael Carron, Crea Mullen and Martha McCreesh. 2nd places went to Clara Leonard, James McSorley, Sophie Hanna, Daire Burke, Maeve Rolston McAuliffe and Darragh Collins. At the end of the backstroke event Lakelanders had secured another ten points and were leading by 25 points heading into their favoured Breaststroke event.
The Breaststroke events saw the Lakelanders coming first in every single race, the winners included Niamh Howell, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard, Michael Carron, Keira Salcedo, Daire Burke , Jessica Miller and Darragh Collins. This, along with second spots increased the Lakelanders lead to 48 points.
The Butterfly stroke is one of the most difficult swimming strokes so team manager Aideen Speer and coach Ben Wiffen watched on in anticipation to see if the hard work in training was paying off. The Lakelander swimmers did not fail to impress with top spots going to Mollie Kate Brewster, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard, Michael Carron, Crea Mullen, Daire Burke and Martha McCreesh. Another fantastic round by the Lakelanders stretching their lead to 54 points.
The results are unknown until the end of the gala and the Lakelanders were determined to dominate the last two rounds. The Individual Freestyle event brought firsts for Mollie Kate Brewster , Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard Crea Mullen, Daire Burke , Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins. There were second spots for Conor Collins, James McSorley, Sophie Hanna and Mylene Leonard.
Leading by 74 points heading into the final event the Lakelanders had a fair idea they were secure but gave it their all and just lost narrowly on the final relay. But coaches and parents were so proud of them all.
There were many outstanding swimmers on the night right down to Charlie Brewster in his first gala at seven years old and lots of new swimmers who have only joined recently . On the night two boys were our MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers); Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad and Michael Carron, who both secured four firsts in their individual events and were also on two winning relay teams.
When the final result was called out Enniskillen Lakelanders 241 and Newry 159 there was rapturous applause and smiles all around, particularly from Team Captains Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins.
Coaches Ben Wiffen and Clare Morris were extremely proud of all the swimmers, as were the Aquasprint organisers with wonderful smiles, good behaviour and great swimming along with making friends and having fun. It was a heartwarming bonus for the club to see Head Coach Ben's mum come along to cheer us on too!
Once again thank you also to all the wonderful parents for their help, encouragement and commitment to their children. Without parents these events just don’t happen and the Club’s Chairperson Aideen Speer acknowledged the time, effort and money it takes to give the commitment to swimming, but stated that the benefits in physical and emotional health as well as self-esteem, discipline and team ethics it brings to the young swimmers far outweighs the cost. We are so unsure of our future with the new Lakeland Forum being constructed. We do understand the need but a three to four gap in these kids swimming will be a big loss to this county in terms of swimming excellence sadly.
- 18 May 2025Young Lakelanders give Lecale a tough battle for Aquasprint League Round 3
A team of 35 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders ASC travelled to Downpatrick on Saturday to compete in the third meet of this year’s Forest Feast AquaSprints league.
The annual Swim Ulster competition offers an opportunity for younger swimmers born between 2017 and 2012 to race over 25m sprints in all four strokes, in both individual and relay events.
The young Lakelanders who recently moved to Omagh for training following the closure of their home pool in the Lakeland Forum, took on the battle against Lecale with gusto. - 04 May 2025Quartet of Ulster titles and a slew of medals & PBs at Ulster LC Champs
A squad of 12 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club attended the Ulster Age Group and Senior LC Championships at the Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex on 2nd, 3rd & 4th May. Competitors from across 32 clubs in Ulster met the tough qualification standards to take part in this key meet over three days, targeting Ulster podium spots, and those important Summer National qualification times. - 19 Apr 2025Lakelanders light up the NAC at Irish Open
Swim Ireland’s Irish Open Swimming Championships started on Saturday (12th April) at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. The 5-day event saw over three hundred swimmers from over fifty clubs compete for National titles in thirty-four individual events. The competition saw twelve Championship Records broken as well as three Irish Senior and four Irish Junior Records across the five days of racing as swimmers aimed for places on Senior National Teams. This meet is also the first opportunity for athletes to qualify for the Regional and National programmes for the 2025-2026 season. Three swimmers from the local Enniskillen Lakelanders swim club attended the prestigious meet keen to compete with the best in the country and witness some of the top swimmers the world in action. - 05 Apr 2025Cracking Racing in Craigavon for Enniskillen Lakelanders' Swimmers
Portadown ASC and Lurgan ASC hosted the South Lake Open Meet 2025 at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th April. A total of 32 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed over the two day meet. - 30 Mar 2025Lakelanders' Swimmers Sparkle for their Schools at Irish Minor Schools Champions
The Irish Minor Schools Championships 2025 took place on Sunday 30th March at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin. 17 Enniskillen Lakelanders swimmers aged 12 and under made the journey, having qualified earlier this month at the regional schools gala in Lisburn and were high with excitement as they headed off to Dublin to do their schools proud on the National stage. - 23 Mar 2025Young Lakelanders successful at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
Ten junior members of Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club travelled to Lisburn on Saturday 22nd March to compete in the fourth meet of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers series at the Lagan Valley Leisureplex.
This gala series is for swimmers aged 10-14 and provides competitive racing opportunities at junior level.
Several medals and lots of new personal best times were secured by the young Lakelanders who displayed their continual improvement and commitment to the sport. - 23 Mar 2025Lakelanders Aquasprinters Victorious over Belfast Olympia
The second round of this season’s Aquasprint League for the Enniskillen Lakelanders took place on Sunday morning at home to Belfast’s Olympia. 40 of their younger swimmers born between 2017 and 2012 took to the pool. There was lots of excitement but a tinge of sadness knowing this would be the last home Aquasprint of the year. The swimmers, committee and parents were hoping for a great morning.
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 Ben and Claire, adding speed to this and a competitive edge. - 15 Mar 2025Ellie and Hannah swim for Ulster
Enniskillen Lakelanders' swimmers Hannah Lynch and Ellie Dunlop travelled to High Wycombe as part of the team of Ulster Regional and National programme athletes to race at the Wycombe Premier Open meet from Friday 7th March to Sunday 9th March. - 15 Mar 2025Lakelanders Secure Medal Haul in Bangor
12 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers travelled to the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor to compete in Round 2 of Swim Ulster’s ‘Aspiring Champions’ Meet Series on 15th & 16th March. This spectacular 50m pool was the perfect venue for the many challenging events the Fermanagh swimmers were eager to dive into over the weekend. - 02 Mar 2025Fermanagh Swimmers Shine for their schools at Ulster Schools Championships
Swim Ulster Primary Schools Cup and Championship was held in the Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn on Saturday 1st March.
Excited for this opportunity to represent their schools, 30 swimmers across 9 local schools headed to Lisburn, determined to do the Southwest proud and qualify for the All-Ireland Championships held in Dublin in March. Although a school competition, all the students attending are committed members of the Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club and mustered all their skills and training in competing against the best swimmers from schools across Ulster. A successful day saw 5 podium finishes and an amazing number of swimmers qualify for the All-Ireland primary school championship to be held at the National Aquatic Centre Dublin later this month.
Follow Us
