WEXFORDSWIMMING
Wexford Swimming Club had 13 swimmers who qualified to compete at the Leinster distance qualifying gala which was held in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
On Saturday, October 14, three swimmers competed in the longer distance events, with Hannah Fitzpatrick and Sophie Mahon swimming the 800m freestyle. Sophie finished close to her previous time and Hannah had a great race and took 47 seconds off her time. Stuart Vaughan swam in the 1,500m and finished in second place.
On Sunday, October 15, there was a mixture of 50m, 200m and 400m races. Dillon Cousins got three P.B’s including a 7.9-second improvement in his 200m free, while his younger brother, Emmet, also took 7.4 seconds off his 200m free.
These two young swimmers were selected for the Leinster Skills Academy this year which is a great achievement. Well done boys.
Hannah Fitzpatrick was back in action again on the Sunday and got another two P.B’s, including 8.1 seconds off her 200m back. Róisín Lawless swam two 50m events and finished very close to her times.
Adam Mahon took 4.6 seconds off his 200m free along with P.B’s in his 50m fly and 200m back. Niall Reck competed in the 400m I.M. and got a 1.2-second P.B.in it.
Cameron Steel had a busy day, competing in seven events, with his best improvements being 2.5 seconds in the 50m fly and 100m I.M. Stuart Vaughan was competing again on Sunday, as was Sophie Mahon, and both swam well in their races and finished close to their best times.
Seán Reck competed in eight events and got four great P.B’s in the 50m breast, 200m fly, 50m free and 200m back. Denis Miculescu had five events and got three P.B’s including 4.6 seconds off his 200m free.
Thomas Francis also had five events and got a 1.75-second P.B. in his 50m back. Georgina Steel had six good swims with a P.B.in the 100m I.M.
One week later on October 22, the Leinster Senior and Minor Schools galas were held. In the Senior gala, Wexford C.B.S. had five swimmers who qualified for the competition. All had great swims and finished in the top ten in their individual races but pulled out all the stops for the relays and secured gold medals in the freestyle relay and bronze in the Medley relay. Well done to Michael Leacy, Adam Mahon, Seán Reck, Angelo Miculescu and Niall Reck.
Swimming for St. Peter’s College were Stuart Vaughan and Dillon Cousins who also finished in the top ten.
In the Minor event, six swimmers from the club competed for their various schools. Emmet Cousins won gold in the 50m back and silver in the 100m I.M. Thomas Francis won silver in the 50m breast and came fifth in the 50m back.
Cian Leacy finished just outside the medals in fourth place in the 50m free and fifth in the 50m breast. Róisn Lawless also just missed medal position in fourth place in 50m back.
These young swimmers along with Louise Doyle, who competed in the 50m breast, all qualified for the Irish schools finals to be held next year. Eliza Kelly was unlucky and finished just outside the qualifying times in the 50m back and 100m I.M. Great swimming all. Well done.