Enniskillen Lakelanders in medal haul at Banbridge Open

A squad of 17 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers, along with Head Coach Ben Wiffen, made their way to the fabulous South Lakes Leisure Centre long course (50m) swimming pool for the final club meet of the season.

This meet provided the final opportunity for competitive swimmers to qualify for Swim Ireland's Irish Summer National competitions.

As a bonus Banbridge swimming club had extended their invitation to clubs from all over Ireland.

The chance to achieve qualifying times and compete against the best in Ireland was too good to miss.

Kate Mc Dade (15), placed first in both events entered. A perfectly executed race and a PB secured gold in the 200m Individual Medley.

A strong performance followed in the 100m Breaststroke, ensuring a second gold of the day. Kate looks forward now to summer nationals with six qualifying times.

Double Gold medal winner Kate McDade. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

Kiril Chursin (18) earned a PB in 50m Freestyle and a place in the Summer Nationals. He also maintained his PB on his 50m Breaststroke.            

Myleene Leonard (12) clocked new PBs in her favoured events, 100m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle.

James Mongan (17) hit the wall as the second-fastest 17 year old in the 100m Backstroke and went on to maintain his seed time in the 100m Breaststroke.

Younger brother Ryan Mongan (14) secured a new PB in the 100m Freestyle and swam to his PB in the 100m Breaststroke and the 200m Freestyle events.

Sophie Hanna (12) shaved a massive 3.5 seconds off her PB from last weekend in the 100m Freestyle. She continued the day with another PB of four seconds in the 100m Backstroke.

Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad (14) had a very successful gala. He started off with his 100m Breaststroke, taking off 12 seconds and finishing 1st in his heat followed by an eight-second PB in 200m Freestyle and another PB in 50m Freestyle.

Emma Speer (12) had a great day in Banbridge finishing as the fourth fastest 13 year old in the 100m Breaststroke. She finished off the day with a PB in her 50m Freestyle.

Maeve Rolston-McAuliffe (13) was delighted with her performance in the afternoon’s 200m Freestyle event, knocking almost 19 secs off her PB, to finish in a time of 2:55:52.

Maeve also dropped 3.61 seconds off her PB in the 100m Backstroke and maintained her PB in the 50m Freestyle sprint.

Tori Reid (14) had four excellent swims, gaining three new PBs in 100m Breaststroke, Backstroke and 50m Freestyle. Tori finished in the top 10 in the 14-year-old category of the 100m Breaststroke, knocking off 3.59 seconds from her PB.

Holly Barkley (13) had a great day, achieving PBs in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke, taking a massive three secs off her previous best in the 50m Breaststroke. She also had good swims in the 100m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly.

Hannah Lynch (15), competed in the 200m Backstroke finishing in second place and was the fastest 15 year old.

Ella Neal (11) enjoyed her return to competing after a knee injury. Competing at her first long course event she swam in the 50m and 100m Freestyle, 100m and 200m Backstroke achieving PBs.

Older sister Ava Neal (14) had a great day’s swimming, competing in the 200m Individual Medley she finished fourth fastest 14 year old. Ava placed fourth in 50m Freestyle qualifying for Irish Nationals in both events.

Keira Salcedo(12) secured three new PBs: 4.69 seconds in 200m Individual Medley, 4.17 seconds in 200m Freestyle and 2.79 seconds in 50m Freestyle while she was able to maintain her PB in 100m Breaststroke.

Older sister Erin Salcedo (14) was pleased to maintain PB’s in her chosen events 200m Individual Medley, 100m Breaststroke,  200m and 50m Freestyle.

Hannah Beacom (16) who competed in the 16-year-old category, enjoyed swimming in her first competition in a while. She got PB’s in all her swims shaving two seconds off her 50m Breaststroke time.

Ryan Mongan, Russell Mikievicz Lumayad, James Mongan, Kiril Chursin. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

Club Gala secretary Michelle Reihill praised the swimmers’ efforts and commitment to their training, particularly the young people balancing the pressures of exam preparation with their desire to also succeed in the pool. 

She wished all the swimmers well, particularly those going on to represent Enniskillen Lakelanders at National level in July.

The swimmers and their families are grateful for the guidance and support of the coaching team led by Head Coach Ben Wiffen, as well as all the parents working in many voluntary roles to ensure the swimmers enjoyed another great Gala experience.

Many of these swimmers will now set their sights firmly on the National competitions held in July with the first being the 2024 Age Group Summer Nationals in Limerick in early July followed by the Youth and Senior Summer National meet at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin in late July.