This was a high-powered gala as not only did swimmers need to obtain a substantial qualifying time, but the catchment area was from both Munster and Connacht. Fermoy Swimming club had 6 swimmers at this meet but managed to bag themselves a total of 5 medals – a brilliant achievement.
Annelies Kouwenberg was our first medallist, winning a bronze medal in the gruelling 400m Individual Medley. In this event, swimmers must swim 100m butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and free, so even the spectators are tired at the finish!
Fermoy Swimming Club coach, Jackie Power, with medallists from last weekend’s Munster & Connacht Age Groups gala at UL, l-r: Zoe Daniels-Howard (200m breaststroke silver), Jodie Baker (22m IM bronze) and Fiona Miao (200m backstroke bronze & 100m backstroke silver). Zoe and Fiona also gained their National Division 1 status at the meet. Missing from photo is Annalies Kouwenberg (400m IM bronze). (Picture: Declan Howard)
Cess Kouwenberg was next up, swimming the 100m breaststroke. He took an incredible 14 seconds off his previous long course time to achieve the National Division 2 time in this event. Later that day he swam the 200m backstroke for the first time and guess what – he achieved his National Division 2 time in this as well. The next day he swam a 2 second PB in 100m backstroke in which he had already qualified for Division 2.
Fiona Miao swam a great 200m backstroke, taking off a terrific 5 seconds and winning a bronze medal. The next day she swam the 100m backstroke and got a 2 second PB, gaining her National Division 1 time and winning the silver medal. A great achievement for any swimmer and our top medal winner of the meet.
Zoe Daniels-Howard was next up swimming the 100m breaststroke knocking off a very respectable second. The following day, Zoe swam the 200m breaststroke smashing her time by over 3 seconds achieving her National Division 1 time with plenty of time to spare and a much-coveted silver medal.
Jill O’Flynn swam next in the 100m butterfly, gaining a PB but missing her Division 2 time by 4 milliseconds proving what a tough sport swimming is. Being made of tough stuff, Jill put that behind her when swimming the 200m breaststroke the next day. Her determined attitude paid off with a splendid 4 second PB and her National Division 2 time.
Jodie Baker was our next athlete swimming the 200m IM. She raced out in front and held her lead to smash her time by 3.5 seconds and won the bronze medal.
Fermoy Swimmers who competed in last weekend’s Munster & Connacht Age Groups at UL, back, l-r: Zoe Daniels-Howard, Jill O’Flynn, Annalies Kouwenberg and Jodie Baker. Front, l-r: Cess Kouwenberg and Fiona Miao. (Picture: Declan Howard)
Well done to these outstanding swimmers and their supportive parents who not only get up at the crack of dawn to take them training but spent the bank holiday weekend in a swimming pool supporting them any way they could.
Thanks also to coach Jackie Power for giving up her long weekend to support, comfort and focus the swimmers, in order that they may do their best.
