Enniskillen Lakelanders kicked off the 2024/25 Swim Ulster competition season superbly on Sunday when 14 junior members took part in the Future Challengers Meet 1 at the South Lakes Leisure Centre in Craigavon.

Head coach Ben Wiffen was there to support the squad with many of the young swimmers clocking new personal best (PB) times and bringing home individual medals.

Charles Armstrong (12) had strong swims, securing new PBs in the 100m Individual Medley, 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly events.

Holly Barkley (13) started the meet with a fantastic swim in her 200m Individual Medley, achieving a third-place finish. She also secured a five-second PB in the 100m Backstroke placing 4th in her age group.

Michael Carron (10) picked up two medals, dropping ten seconds off his PB to place second in the 100m Backstroke and third in the 200m Individual Medley. He also placed fifth in the 50m Butterfly event.

Sophie Hanna (11) had two fantastic swims, dropping 19 seconds off her PB in the 200m Individual Medley and securing another PB in the 100m Backstroke, to bring home bronze medals in both events.

Anna May Hill (13) had a great swim at her first Future Challengers meet, achieving a sixth-place finish in the 100m Backstroke with a 6-second PB.

Katie McGowan (12) enjoyed her first Future Challengers in Craigavon, achieving a 15-second PB in the 200m Individual Medley and an 8-second PB in her 200m Backstroke.

James McSorley (11) swam well, taking 8.29 seconds off his PB in the 100m Individual Medley. James also competed in the 50m Butterfly for a nice finish to his first Future Challengers competition.

Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad (10) had a very successful gala. He took off 12 seconds in his 100m Individual Medley race followed by more PBs in the 100m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly events leading to 2 silver medals and a bronze.

Crea Mullen (12) dropped an incredible 28 seconds off her 200m Individual Medley time to take home a bronze medal and placed second in the 100m Backstroke to win silver.

Luna Murphy (13) had a successful event, clocking a new PB to place second in the 100m Individual Medley. She also dropped 3 seconds off her 100m Backstroke to place 5th in her age group.

Maia Rolston-McAuliffe (10) enjoyed her first Future Challengers, improving her time in the 50m Butterfly. She also dropped a massive 17 seconds off her 50m Backstroke, to place 3rd in and win a bronze medal.

Keira Salcedo (12) had a fantastic day,  clocking new PBs. She shaved 16.21 seconds off her 50 Butterfly and 1.91 seconds off in the 200m Individual Medley, claiming a bronze medal.

Natalie Swidani (11) had a great day at her first Future Challengers gala, dropping 12 seconds off her time in the 100m Individual Medley to place 5th. She also secured new PBs in the 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly events.

Finley Walker-Leonard (13) swam in the 200m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke events finishing strong and maintaining his PBs in both races.

Overall, the event was a very encouraging start to the season for the younger Lakelander swimmers, a testament to their dedication to their training and the hard work of the coaching team led by Head Coach Ben Wiffen.

Club Chairperson Aideen Speer, hailed the success of the swimmers saying: "This was a great opener to our 24/25 season for our younger swimmers with results that clearly demonstrate their efforts in training.

"I’m looking forward to great things from this group this year!’

The next event coming up on the racing calendar for the club is the Aspiring Champions Meet in Belfast on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20.