An important swimming gala was held last weekend in UL. Known as the Regional LC Qualifying Meet, it is where our top swimmers compete in an attempt to get times that will qualify them for the National Meets in the summer. Being Long Course means that the races are held over 50m lengths.
During the first day we saw Luca Salvatori swimming his first ever 200m breaststroke, he swam very well and achieved a great time of 3.20.12 less than 2 seconds off his National Division 2 time.
The girls 200m free was the next event. Annelies Kouwenberg – a veteran at this stage – took 3.58 seconds off her PB ensuring she put her National Division 2 time in the bag. The two sisters Alexandra and Ionela Ohrim both swam a good race, hitting great times.
The boys were up next swimming the 100m butterfly. No problems for Adam O’Grady and Bartosz Lipinski who both nailed their Division 2 times. In fact, Adam was only 1.29 seconds off his Division 1 time – next time Adam!
Mary O’Donnell continued in the practise of hitting National times with a Division 2 time in her 200m backstroke. William Verling, Adam Duggan and Tadgh O’Brien all flew down the pool in the 50m freestyle, all gaining their Division 2 time. Luke O’Shea and Luca also swam this event with Luke a whisker away from his Division 2 time.
Alexandra then swam a competent 200m breaststroke with a time of 3.39.41. The day was finished off by William Verling getting his second Division 2 National time, taking off a whopping 20.61 seconds – he must have had rocket fuel for breakfast!
Some of our Sunday swimmers, pictured with coach Jackie at last weekend’s Regional LC Qualifying meet in University of Limerick.
Day 2 kicked off with the girls 100m breaststroke. You might wonder why I have not been mentioning medals, well there was only one gold, one silver and one bronze for each event, making it impossible for our younger swimmers to beat the 19-year-olds in order to grab a medal.
Well, one 15-year-old Fermoy swimmer managed to beat 274 other swimmers in the 100m breaststroke. Swimming a 1.49 sec PB, Jodie Baker won the gold medal and a National Division 1 time.
Sophie Baker and Ali O’Donnell also swam cracking races gaining their National Division 2 time. Eabha Burke, Alexandra and Naoise Hegarty also swam well in the 100m breaststroke. The most unusual thing happened in the race – both Pyrovolaki sisters went in on exactly the same time and guess what – they both achieved 1.44.22. What are the odds of that!
The boys 100m free was next with Bartosz hitting yet another National Division 2 time. Zach Daniels-Howard smashed his PB by 5.49 seconds and Ryan Ates and Adam Duggan also swam a good race. Not getting much time to catch their breath, Ryan and Bartosz swam the 100m backstroke just missing their Division 2 times. Sam O’Brien had been patiently waiting to perform and did very well in his first swim, the 100m backstroke.
Girls 50m free was next with both Jodie Baker and Zoe Daniels-Howard achieving their National Division 1 time. Annelies also nailed her Division 2 time. Eabha Burke, Ali, Sophie and Grace Duggan also swam in the very fast race getting nearer to their Division 2 times.
200m Individual Medley for the boys was next with Ryan Ates gaining a good PB and his National Division 2 time. Bartosz and Zach both swam well in this event coming up just short of their Division 2 time – you will get it next time boys!
In the 100m girls backstroke, various girls got great PBs. Mary and Zoe knocking off a fantastic 4.29 and 4.27 seconds respectively and Melina 3.42 seconds – her sister also swam a PB, but they both had different times.
Ali, Eabha, Naoise, Emma O’Grady and Alexandra also swam in this event gaining PBs or good times for a first swim. Fiona Miao just missed her Division 1 time by a second but is determined to nail it next time.
Zoe swam a super 3.26 second PB in her 100m free but felt she could swim even faster so watch this space. Annelies is also a split hair from her Division 2 time. Jodie achieved her Division 1 time. Alexandra, Ionela, Grace and Eabha also swam well in this event.
In the boys 100m breaststroke, Adam O’Grady and Ryan Ates got their Division 2 times with Adam less than 1 second off his Division 1 time. Bartosz, Luca and Sam O’Brien also swam well in this event. Sophie Baker and Ali O’Donnell rounded off the gala with their 200m IM.
As you can see, day 2 was a very long day. A big thank you must go out to all the parents who travelled not only to support but also help with the running of the gala in their role as turn judge, timer or Team Manager. Without these parents our swimmers would not be allowed to compete.
Thanks also to the coaches. Warren Terry who attended on day 1 and Jackie Power who attended on day 2. Both gave help, support and advice to the competitors and sometimes to the parents. Well done to all the competitors they did us proud. (report JP).
WHAT’S NEXT?
This weekend we have 3 swimmers heading to Bangor, Co Down for their first McCullagh Int Meet, and we wish good luck to Fiona Miao, Jodie and Sophie Baker.
We hope you enjoy the experience, everyone in Fermoy SC will be cheering you on from afar. The next event for our competitive squads is the Munster Development 2 Meet, in Mallow on March 2nd.
Please check our website for the information sheet and eligibility report for Ennis Invitational Meet. Entries in club box by this weekend please.
MID-TERM BREAK
Training as usual except sessions listed below for the February Mid-Term: Friday, 22nd February NO Swordfish (16.50 – 17.30) or Glofish (17.45 – 20.05). Saturday, 23rd February NO Sharks 08.00 – 10.00 or Marlins 10.00 – 10.45. Dev 2 swimmers to train with Torps 17.00 – 19.00. Sunday, 24th February NO Training for Sailfish (08.00 – 08.45) or Dolphins (08.45 – 10.45). Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th February Training for Torps as usual 17.00 -19.00 and for Dev 2 Sharks.
CLUB KIT
If anyone would like to purchase a club teeshirt, please email memsecfsc@gmail.com. We have a variety of sizes in stock, price €20.
