Success at final weekend of UAG

Larne Swimming Club's success continued on the final weekend of the Ulster Age Group Championships at the Grove on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May.

Wilson Logan (15) was out on his own when he stormed home to victory and took 1st place in the 200m Butterfly (2.14.93) setting a new Ulster Age Group record. His success continued when he took 1st in the 400m Freestyle recording a time of 4.09.93 and not only did he set a new Ulster Age Group record in the event, he also broke the record in the 16 - 18 year age group! Wilson then went on to set his third Ulster Age Group record of the day when he won the 1500m Freestyle.

Team mate Conor Leaney excelled in the 200m backstroke taking first place in a time of 2.18.00 to set yet another Ulster Age Group record. In the 100m Butterfly Conor took 1st place in a hard fought race with Wilson Logan (2nd) and also took 2nd in the 200m Butterfly and 400m Freestyle recording personal best times in all three events.

Eleven year old Charlotte Hall swam tremendous races and the rewards for her determination were shown in her excellent results. She was placed 1st in the 100m Freestyle, 1st in the 400m Freestyle and 2nd in the 200m Individual Medley and recorded PBs in each race. She is surely a strong contender amongst the girls for the Elizabeth Long Trophy which is presented to the most promising 11 year old swimmer in Ulster.

Mark Wylie, another strong contender for the Elizabeth Long Trophy amongst the 11 year old boys, did himself justice setting a new Ulster Age Group record when he swam a magnificent race taking 1st place in the 100m breaststroke. He also had excellent swims in the 100m Individual Medley in which he was placed 1st and the100m Freestyle (2nd) with club mate Gary Andrews taking 3rd.

Matthew Harkness (12) was placed 2nd in the 100m Freestyle after fighting a very close race with City of Belfast's Gavin Carmichael only to be pipped at the post. Never the less Matthew's swim earned him a fantastic 4 second PB with a time of 1.03.97.

Sixteen year old Caroline Gordon recent success at the Irish Long Course Championships continued at the Ulster Age Groups when she took gold in the 100m Breaststroke with personal best time of 1.17.13.

Other swimmers worthy of mention are sisters Laura & Sophie Heaton and brothers Gavin & Owen Williamson. Laura (14) recorded a 9 second PB and was placed 3rd in the 400m freestyle with a time of 4.37.48; she then took 2nd place in the 800m Freestyle. Sophie (11) swam an excellent race in her 100m backstroke and not only recorded a personal best time (1.30.62) but gained her Irish Age Group (Division 2) qualification time.

Fifteen year old Gavin Williamson continued a successful season, knocking off nearly 15 seconds in his 400 freestyle to clock a new PB of 4.41.69 whilst younger brother Owen (11) slashed his 100m backstroke time by 11 seconds to 1.26.76 and his 100m freestyle by 8 seconds to 1.16.10. These times should stand all four swimmers in good stead when they compete in the Irish Age Groups later in the season.

Numerous PBs were recorded over the weekend proving that the commitment shown by all of Larne’s swim team during the many hours of arduous training sessions to be worth while. Although this was a very successful weekend for the club there was no rest for the swimmers and it was back into the pool at 6am on Monday morning in preparation for their next major meets at the Irish Age Groups in Limerick which are held in June and July.