Castlebar - County Mayo - Swimming Club News

Castlebar Swimming Club had many successes at the Irish Age Groups Championships (Division One) which ran from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th July at the University Arena pool, Limerick. Eight Castlebar swimmers had the necessary qualifying times for this prestigious meet with two of the swimmers returning home Bronze medallists.

Outstanding was Annie McCormack U/12 who took a bronze medal in 100m freestyle in a time of 1 05 59. Annie also was awarded certificates for finishing in 6th place in the 200m IM final and 100m backstroke. She was reserve finalist in the 100m breaststroke after making a personal best time in the heats.

Another top performer was Sarah Caulfield U/15 who produced a stunning swim in her 100m breaststroke making personal best times in both her heat and final swims to finish in 3rd place and take a bronze medal. Sarah was awarded a certificate for finishing in 7th place in 200m I.M and she made personal best times in 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle and 100m fly.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the swim off for 8th place in the final of the U/14 100m breaststroke between Aisling Bourke and an Aer Lingus swimmer. It was both nail-biting and exciting as the two swimmers fought it out with Aisling touching first and securing her place in the final in a superb time of 1:20:48 which is also an Irish Open qualifying time. Aisling improved her rankings in the final to take 7th place and was awarded a certificate. She also made personal best times in 100m backstroke, 100m fly, 200m I.M, and 100m freestyle.

Top of the bill also was James Sweeney with his best performance in the U/13 100m breaststroke event. He produced a spectacular swim in the heats to reach the final and here he finished in 5th place and was awarded a certificate. James who favours 100m breaststroke above other events has gone from strength to strength in the 200m IM, 100m backstroke, 400m freestyle, 100m fly and 100m freestyle.

Laura Keaveney competing in the U/16 category made reserve finalist in the 100m fly and 100m breaststroke just missing both finals by split seconds. Laura produced personal best times in the 400m freestyle and in the 100m breaststroke

Fionnuala Quinn a first time qualifier for Division 1 had a great meet and improved her rankings in all events with personal best times in U/14 100m backstroke, 100m fly, 100m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 200m I.M. making a Division 1 time of 2:41:63.

Another young swimmer in good form was Eleanor Grier-Gavin in U/15 category where she recorded good swims in 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke with personal best times in 200m I.M, 400m freestyle and 100m fly

Natalie Bourke competing in the U/14 category set a new personal best time in her 100m breaststroke and recorded fine swims in 100m backstroke, 100m fly, 200m I.M, and 100m freestyle.

Girls U/16 freestyle relay team of Laura Keaveney, Aisling Bourke, Eleanor Grier Gavin and Sarah Caulfield finished in 6th place and the U/14 Girls of Natalie Bourke, Aisling Bourke, Fionnuala Quinn and Annie McCormack produced good times in both the freestyle and 4x50 medley relays

Great tribute must be paid to these swimmers, for their success at the highest level, and also to their coaches Sebastian Locteau, Marian English and Joe Moran for helping the swimmers realize this success.