Enniskillen Lakelanders' Aquasprint Squad victorious in Monaghan

Round Two of the Aquasprint league for the Enniskillen Lakelanders took place on Saturday 14^th May away to Sliabh Beagh Swimming Club at Coral Leisure Centre in Monaghan. 40 of our younger swimmers born between 2009 and 2014 took to the pool. With both teams winning their first round meets Lakelanders knew they were up against tough opponents. Sliabh Beagh have always been a division ahead of Lakelanders however they knew they had a battle on their hands.

First up in the Medley Relays (Back, Breast, Butterfly & Freestyle) Lakelanders took an early lead winning three out of the four relays. With wins for Group B of Martha McCreesh, Emma Speer, Mirko Mann and Darragh Collins, Group C of Ava Neal, Erin Salcedo, Luke Lannon and Enda Burke and Group D of Hannah Lynch, Ryan Mongan, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan. Group A of Keira Salcedo, Fionn Brewster, Sophie Hanna and Daire Burke all swam well, showing how well they worked as a team but unfortunately ran in a close second.

Next up was the Backstroke with lots of 1st and 2nd positions spots for the Lakelanders including 1^st places for Martha McCreesh, Daire Burke Luke Lannon, and Ellie Dunlop. 2^ndplaces went to Sophie Hanna, Enda Burke, Hannah Lynch and Michael McGowan. There were also great swims by Keira Salcedo, Emma Speer, Erin Salcedo and Ryan Mongan, Maeve Rolston McAuliffe, Olivia McCaffrey and Gavin Mann. At the end of the Backstroke, Lakelanders had performed well and just lost the round by two points but held their lead by 6 points.

Breaststroke next and Lakelanders favourite stroke where they shone with 1^st positions going to Fionn Brewster, Emma Speer, Ava Neal, Luke Lannon and Ellie Dunlop. Hitting the 2^ndspots were Sophie Hanna, Daire Burke, Jessica Miller, Mirko Mann, Erin Salcedo, Enda Burke, Hannah Lynch and Michael McGowan. There were also good swims recorded by Katie McGowan, Emmet Coyle, Holly Barkley, Anton Neal, Darragh Collins, Emily Stewart, Caelan Moore and Sarah Speer.

At the halfway point smiles could be seen on the coaches and team managers faces as they knew a win was in their grasp. Lakelanders had started to pull away, heading into the next round they had stretched their lead to 24 points.

Next up was the gruelling butterfly which was a fairly evenly matched round with 1^st spots going to Daire Burke, Martha McCreesh, Luke Lannon, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan and 2^nd spots secured by Sophie Hanna, Fionn Brewster, Emma Speer, Ava Neal and Hannah Lynch. There were great swims by Clara Leonard, Mylene Leonard, Mirko Mann, Katie James, Aoife Carey and Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad.

The last individual event was the Freestyle where the Lakelanders again produced some excellent swims. There were fantastic 1^st places for Martha McCreesh, Luke Lannon, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan. Fionn Brewster, Emma Speer, Mirko Mann, Ava Neal and Hannah Lynch securing 2nd spots. There were PBs for a number of swimmers including Clara Leonard, Holly McCabe, Rua Moore, Tori Reid, and great swims by Josh Cassidy and Eimear Carey.

As the individual races came to a close the Lakelanders were sitting in a good position but relays make all the difference at Aquasprint events. The scene was set for a nail-biting finish with the Freestyle Relay races. The Lakelanders were beaten by the smallest of margins in Groups A and B and things started to get tense. The older swimmers stepped up and the tide was turned when Group C of Ava Neal, Erin Salcedo, Luke Lannon and Enda Burke secured top spot. All breaths were held as Group D of Hannah Lynch, Ryan Mongan, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan took to the blocks with Enniskillen having to swim up two swimmers all evening in group D. Everyone was excited for the last race, the cheers of the swimmers were deafening as Michael McGowan touched home and secured victory for Group D.

Later cheers rang out when the result was announced: Sliabh Beagh 183 with Lakelanders 214; a win for the Lakelanders bringing rapturous applause and smiles all around. 

There were lots of swims on the night for new and less experienced swimmers with all swimmers taking part in an individual race and two relays which was wonderful to see. It was clear that every child is improving and working hard at their swimming under coaches Clare Morris and Ben Wiffen. A special mention also goes to Ryan Mongan and Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad who swam up and age group to Group D all evening.  

The MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers) award for the girls goes to Ellie Dunlop who secured four first spots, 16 points for the team and helping her team to two relay wins. Boys Captain Luke Lannon was also on top form scoring maximum points with four firsts in his individual events giving him 16 points and also helping his team to win both relays.

Coach Sara Lannon was extremely proud of all the swimmers and of their individual achievement as were the Aquasprint organisers with wonderful smiles, good behaviour and great swimming along with making friends and having fun.

Team Manager Aideen Speer praised all the parents involved for their encouragement and commitment to their own children and indeed all the children. Without parent volunteers these events just won’t happen. The committee acknowledges the time, effort and money it takes to give the commitment to swimming, but as you will all agree, the benefits in physical and emotional health as well as self-esteem, discipline and team ethics it brings to the young swimmers far outweighs any costs.

The final Aquasprint round is at home to Newry and Mourne on the 28^th May and all is poised for a spot at Finals night which all the children are looking forward too.

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