A group of the finest Fermoy swimmers headed to University of Limerick to compete at the Munster & Connaught Youth Open in the 50m pool, over the June bank holiday weekend. As the title suggests this is a very prestigious gala with the top swimmers from both provinces competing.
Luca Salvatori swam in the 200m Breaststroke smashing 5.37 secs off his time, he also took time off his 50m Free. Taking 2.90 secs off his 100m Breaststroke time ensured him a place in the finals where he swam well to move up one place. He also swam a good 100m Fly for the first time at long course.
Sophie Baker swam her 100m Breaststroke and made 5th place into the finals where she swam a PB and moved up to 4th place just missing out on a medal. She then went on to take off an amazing 7.09 secs off her PB in the 200m IM followed by a PB in her 50m Free. She was a very busy lady swimming in the 200m Breaststroke, 100m & 200m Freestyle – she must have slept very well on Sunday night.
Melina Pyrovolaki swam a great 100m Breast to gain a personal best time. Ali O’Donnell nailed her 100m Breaststroke improving her time by a substantial 2.45 seconds. She also swam in the 200m Breaststroke, 50m Free and 200m Free.
William Verling swam a great 100m Backstroke knocking off 1.20 secs to gain his National Division 2 time to add to his collection. He also swam in the mad dash of the 50m Free.
Jack Duggan was reserved finalist in the 50m Free and then went on not only to make the finals in the 100m Fly but to achieve his National Division 1 time. Jack also got a PB in his 50m Fly making the finals and just missing out on a medal in 4th place. He swam a PB in the 100m Free and also made the finals
Bartosz Lipinski was on fire taking off 1.10 secs in his 50m Free, a huge amount over such a short distance. He PB’d in his 100m Fly and his 100m Free. He now deserves his holiday in Poland – enjoy Bartosz.
Amy Hawe used her 400m Free to warm her up for events to come. She smashed her 100m Free time by 3.20 seconds winning not only a place in the finals but gaining her National Division 2 time for the first time. Not content with this, Amy went on to do the treble on the 50m Free – finals, silver medal and her Division 2 time. Amy swam the 100m Fly taking 1.20 off her time to make the finals. Her grand finale saw her take off an incredible 5.63 seconds to win bronze and a Division 2 time – a great day for Amy.
Jodie Baker was another of our swimmers who was in great form making the finals of the 100m Free in 3rd place. Not content with this she upped her position to win the silver medal. She obviously liked that colour as she went on to win silver in the 200m IM gaining a 0.61 PB. She went into the finals of the 50m Free in pole position – could she handle the pressure? Of course she could winning the coveted gold medal. She then added to her collection by making the finals of the 50m Breaststroke and winning bronze. Very good medal haul Jodie, well done.
Zoe Daniels-Howard made the finals in the 50m Breaststroke and swam despite an injury which shows great courage.
Fiona Miao swam a well-paced 100m Backstroke gaining a place in finals where she gained a PB and moved up one place. She then went on to swim 100m Fly where she also made the finals and gained a personal best time. Annelies Kouwenberg swam 100m Free gaining a PB also swimming the 50m Free and topping her trio of Frees gained a 1.01 second PB in her 200m.
Thank you to all the parents who travelled to the gala and helped out over the weekend. Thanks also to Coach Jackie for her support to the swimmers.
(Report Coach Jackie)
