23 Mar 2025

Lakelanders Aquasprinters Victorious over Belfast Olympia

_{Photo credit: Mary Salcedo}

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 coach Claire, adding speed to this and a competitive edge.

First up was the Medley Relays (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly & Freestyle). This was a clean sweep for the Lakelanders with all four groups hitting the wall in top spot. Group A was Orlaith Howell, Mollie Kate Brewster, Finn Coyle and Joseph McKenna were convincing winners. Next up was Group B of Niamh Howell, April Huang, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad and Ollie Elliott and another great win. Group C were determined to do the same with Clara Leonard, Natalie Swidani, Connor Collins  and James McSorley hitting first spot too. Last up was  Group D of  Sophie Hanna, Crea Mullen, Charles Armstrong and Kealan Rice who didn’t disappoint, ensuring Lakelanders were off to a wonderful start leading by 16 points heading into the individual rounds.

First individual event was the Backstroke with lots of 1st and 2nd positions spots for the Lakelanders giving maximum points. These included 1^st places for Mollie Kate Brewster, April Huang, Natalie Swidani, James Mc Sorley, Crea Mullen and Charles Armstrong. 2^nd places went to Finn Coyle, Niamh Howell. At the end of the backstroke event, Lakelanders had secured another eight points and were leading by 24 points heading into their favoured Breaststroke event. 

The Breaststroke events saw the Lakelanders coming first and second  in all races, the winners included Mollie Kate Brewster, Joseph McKenna, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Natalie Swidani, James Mc Sorley, Keira Salcedo and Charles Armstrong. This, along with second spots increased the Lakelanders lead to 42 points.

The Butterfly stroke is one of the most difficult swimming strokes so team manager Aideen Speer and coach Claire Morris 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, Niamh Howell, Natalie Swidani, James Ms Sorley, Crea Mullen and Charles Armstrong.  Another fantastic round by the Lakelanders stretching their lead to 44 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, Joseph McKenna, Niamh Howell, Natalie Swidani, Sophie Hanna and  James McSorley.

Leading by 53 points heading into the final event the Lakelanders had a fair idea they were secure but gave it their all and won all the last relays just as they had done at the start. There was a big cheer from swimmers, coaches and parents who were so proud of them all as the Lakelanders’ two group D teams hit the wall in first and second spot.

There were many outstanding swimmers on the day right down to Ruairi Bannon, Ryan Kennedy, on their first gala and also to lots of new swimmers who have only joined recently. A special mention also to Maia Rolston-Mc Auliffe and Kealan Rice who swam up on the day securing valuable points for the team. On the day we had three MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers);  who both secured four firsts in their individual events and were also on two winning relay teams, these were Mollie Kate Brewster, Natalie Swidani and James McSorley.

When the final result was called out Enniskillen Lakelanders 235 and Olympia 165 there was rapturous applause and smiles all around, particularly from Team Captains Crea Mullen and Charles Armstrong.

Coach Clare Morris was 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.

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 aquasprint team co-ordinator 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 with the latest date for closure being April 30th. We do understand the need but a two to three year gap in these kids’ swimming will be a big loss to this county in terms of swimming excellence sadly.

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