Young Lakelanders successful at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
23 Mar 2025
Young 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, Lisburn.
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.
Team coach on the day, Aideen Speer, ably supported the swimmers throughout the meet, providing invaluable pre-race encouragement and post race feedback.
Leah Bannon (13) achieved two new personal best times (PBs) in the 100m individual medley and the 50m freestyle, placing 3rd in her age group in both events. Leah also swam well in the 100m breaststroke, placing 7th in her age group.
Holly Barkley (14) had three strong swims, achieving a third place finish in her age group in the challenging 200m IM with a strong -4 second PB. Holly also had a top five finish in her age group in the 50m freestyle and maintained her entry time in the 100m breaststroke.
Anna May Hill (14) had a great gala placing 2nd in her age group in the 50m freestyle where she secured a new PB. Anna May also placed 7th in her age group in the 100m IM, again achieving a new PB.
Joshua Hill (12) had two impressive swims, placing first in his age group in the 50m breaststroke. He also dropped 3.5 seconds off his PB in the 50m freestyle to achieve a second place finish.
Jakub Mikiewicz Lumayad (11) had a super gala winning two bronze time-banded medals, having placed 1st in his age group in the 100m freestyle and second in the 100m breaststroke. Jakub also maintained his entry time and placed second in his age group in the 100m IM event.
Ella Neal (13) had a successful gala placing 1st in her age group in the 100 IM, dropping 3.32secs off her PB. Ella also placed third in the 100m freestyle maintaining her PB.
Kealan Rice (12) placed third in his age group in the 50m freestyle and 10th in the 100m IM.
Maia Rolston-McAuliffe (11) had a super day with two second place finishes, in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, dropping over 5 seconds off her PB in the latter event. Maia also swam well in the 100m IM, placing 9th in her age group.
Natalie Swidani (12) had two super strong swims, winning a bronze time-banded medal in the 100m freestyle where she placed second in her age group. Natalie also won her heat well and placed fifth in her age group in the 100m breaststroke where she knocked almost 8 seconds off her PB.
Finley Walker-Leonard (14) had a great gala, dropping 10 seconds off his time in the 50m freestyle to finish 2nd in his age group. He also took 8 seconds off his time in the 100m IM to achieve a fourth place finish and dropped almost 4 seconds off his 100m breaststroke to place 6th.
The swimmers benefitted greatly from the support of the parent volunteers taking on a variety of roles to ensure a successful gala for the young athletes.
Many of these swimmers will make the journey to Dublin next weekend to represent their schools at the National Minor Schools Championships at the National Aquatic Centre and we wish them well.
As always, the club are very grateful for the support of Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars Enniskillen.
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This gala series is for swimmers aged 10-14 and provides competitive racing opportunities at junior level.
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