12 May 2024

Lakelanders' Aquasprint Squad Victorious v Larne in Round 4 of League 

 

_{Photo by Mary Ann Salcedo}

The last round of the Forest Feast Aquasprint League of the year for the Enniskillen Lakelanders took place on Saturday evening  at the Lakeland Forum against joint table toppers Larne Swim Club . 50 of their younger swimmers born between 2016 and 2011 took to the pool. There was a mixture of excitement and nerves to meet Larne who travelled along with their Olympian and Irish record holding coach Danielle Hill.

First up were the Medley Relays with Group A of Niamh Howell, Mollie Kate Brewster , Conor Collins and Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad were convincing winners. Next up was Group B where Clara Leonard, Michael Carron , James McSorley and April Huang were knocked to second place by the narrowest of margins. Group C of  Sophie Hanna, Crea Mullen, Daire Burke and Emmett Coyle were determined to show how strong the Lakelanders were and again won . Unfortunately our usually strong Group D of Martha McCreesh, Emma Speer, Mirko Man and Darragh Collins just missed 1^st place. After round one it was all even as coach Clare Morris watched on nervously.

First individual event was the Backstroke with lots of 1st and 2nd spots for the Lakelanders giving maximum points including 1^st places for Mollie Kate, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Michael Carron and Crea Mullen. 2^nd places went to Niamh Howell, Clara Leonard, Daire Burke, Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins. At the end of the Backstroke event much to Larne’s disappointment Lakelanders had taken a lead of  eight points  heading into their favoured Breaststroke event.  There were also great swims for Anton Neal, Natalie Swidani, Katie McGowan, Maia Rolston McAuliffe and Finn Coyle.

Breaststroke next, a stroke the Lakelanders usually dominate and they didn’t disappoint. Those hitting the top spots were Niamh Howell, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad , Michael Carron, Emmett Coyle, Daire Burke, Martha McCreesh  and Darragh Collins. Second spots were awarded to Conor Collins, Clara Leonard, James McSorley, Keira Salcedo, Daire Burke and Emma Speer . After a fantastic round  the Lakelanders led by 28 points. Afterwards Danielle Hill (Olympian) congratulated Clare Morris on her outstanding coaching along with Ben Wiffen stating Lakelanders’ breaststrokers are still top in Ulster.

The Butterfly stroke is one of the most difficult swimming strokes so the team manager Aideen Speer and coach Clare Morris watched on in anticipation to see if hard work in training was paying off. But with just two wins going to Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad and Crea Mullen but fortunately the Lakelanders picked up lots of second and third spots and held the lead by 24 points.

The results are unknown until the end of the gala however the Lakelanders were determined to dominate the last two rounds. Individual Freestyle event produced firsts for Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad and Crea Mullen There were second spots for Mollie Kate Brewster,  Conor Collins, Clara Leonard and Darragh Collins.

Leading by 22 points heading into the final event the Lakelanders had still all to swim for knowing Larne had taken the Freestyle round . Some tweaks by coaches ensured the Lakelanders won three out of the four relays and parents were so proud of them all as both previously unbeaten teams waited eagerly to hear the final results of a closely fought event overall.  

There were many outstanding swimmers on the night but the MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers) went to young Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad who has proved himself to be one of the top swimmers in this division of the Forest Feast Aquasprint League securing six wins out of six. Crea Mullen also shined too securing five first spots.  

On the day Lakelanders had fifty swimmers, an indication of the popularity of swimming in Fermanagh and there was lots of great competitive swimming opportunities on the night for new and less experienced swimmers in the relay teams. These children are progressing so well, with some only in the club a few months, including Emily Irvine, Tara Collins, Imogen Neal, Charlie Brewster, Domhall Burke, Daithi Owens, Tadhg Murphy, Kealan Rice, Ella Rose Carron, Joshua Hill, Elin O’Donohue, Shannon Brennan, Tori Veitch, Leah Bannon, Mavis Man, Maddie Maguire, Tiana Mbeulina,  Anna May Hill, Luna Murphy, Holly McCabe, Ella Neal  Haralds Uzulins and Finley Walker. They all did themselves proud and by the smiles on their faces really enjoyed the event.

Following speeches from the Team Captains Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins, the final results were called out; Enniskillen Lakelanders 215 and Larne 185. There was rapturous applause and smiles all around from the home team.

Coaches Clare Morris and Chairperson Aideen Speer  were extremely proud of all the swimmers and of their individual achievement with wonderful smiles, good behaviour and great swimming along with making friends and having fun.

The Lakelanders now look forward to the final of the Aquasprint League where they will face Larne and Lecale on the 7^th June venue to be confirmed.

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