Lakelanders secure awards and new PBs at Belfast Aspiring Champions Gala
19 Oct 2025
Lakelanders secure a slew of awards and new PBs at Belfast Aspiring Champions Gala
11 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club made their way to the Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in Belfast to compete at Swim Ulster's Aspiring Champions Meet; the first Gala of the season for swimmers aged 13 and over. The event was held over two days, 18th & 19th October. Coaches across Ulster use this gala to assess and monitor swimmers' skills, providing the scaffolding for the building blocks for success in the coming season.
All the work so far on skills and technique resulted in a slew of Swim Ulster Awards, personal bests and many top ten finishes for the Enniskillen Lakelanders.
Holly Barkley (14) had 3 great swims. She maintained her time in the 200m Individual Medley and achieved PBs in the 100m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle, where she also achieved a bronze medal.
Darragh Collins (14) began the season with an impressive performance, securing a gold in the 50m Freestyle, a silver in the 100m Freestyle and a bronze in the 200m Individual Medley.
Sophie Hanna (13) wiped a fantastic 7.6 seconds off her entry time in the 100m Butterfly. She went on to clock another new PB in the 200m Individual Medley, collecting a bronze award. Further strong performances in the 100m Backstroke and the 50m Freestyle ensured she maintained her entry times in both.
Anna May Hill (14) had a great day at her first aspiring champs. She claimed a new PB in her 50m Freestyle achieving a bronze medal. She secured a 4 second PB in her 100m Backstroke and held her own in her first ever 200m Freestyle race.
Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad (15) had two great swims. He achieved a bronze medal award in 100m Freestyle followed by a new PB in 100m Butterfly .
Ryan Mongan (15) shaved a whopping 29.68 seconds off his PB in the 200m Individual Medley, 6 seconds off his 200m Breaststroke PB and claimed further new PBs in the 100m Breaststroke and Freestyle races to clinch a total of 3 bronze awards and 3 top ten finishes in all.
Anton Neal (14) secured new PBs in both the 200m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle events.
Emma Speer (14) swam the 200m Breaststroke and achieved a silver pin for her time, finishing third fastest 14 year old.
Haralds Uzulins (14) was delighted to secure a 3 second PB in 100m Freestyle, winning a bronze time banded medal. He also produced strong a swim in the 50m Freestyle.
Conal Walker (17) swam well in 6 events across the 2 days, claiming PBs in 100m Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley, 200m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly.
Finley Walker-Leonard (14) achieved two PBs in both the 100m Backstroke (taking 16 seconds off) and 100m Individual Medley (taking 13 seconds off).
Head Coach Fionna Orr was pleased to see the swimmers’ dedication to training pay off with a great start to the competitive season. The swimmers benefitted greatly from her guidance on racing approach & strategy throughout the two day gala. Club PRO Janette Mongan, praised all the club volunteers who helped out over the two days but also hailed the swimmers for their maturity in how they approached this start to the new racing season saying, 'The 11 Lakelanders here this weekend have done themselves and their club proud with amazing individual swims. The team spirit amongst these young athletes throughout the two days was fantastic to see, a shining example for our club and for our younger swimmers back home in particular’.
‘We look forward to our Junior Gala on Sunday 26th October, where junior swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders will enjoy competing against visiting swimmers from other clubs from the surrounding regions. Our senior swimmers will form an important part of the team of volunteers needed to run this type of gala, ensuring an enjoyable event for the younger swimmers as well as hopefully raising some much needed funds for Enniskillen Lakelanders ASC.’
The club express their gratitude to Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars Enniskillen for their continued support of the swimmers.
aspiring champions series 2025 - 2026 meet 1 - pdf results.pdf
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