Return visits are an inspiration to youngsters
Seven ‘Class of ’16’ swimmers recently returned to East Kilbride Amateur Swimming Club to train with their former team-mates over the festive period.
EK junior sports personality of the year winner Meg Finnon and fellow ex-St Bride’s pupil Jennifer King had the longest journeys to make, with Meg returning from the University of Georgia and Jennifer from the University of Missouri where both are on swimming scholarship programmes.
They were joined by Angus Barr, from Stirling University, John Wright, from Aberdeen Performance programme, and Ross Leslie, Ross Young and Erin Holmes, from Edinburgh University Swim Team.
Across the pond, Meg and Jennifer have had a hugely successful ‘freshman’ year with their respective teams.
Meg’s Georgia ‘Dawgs’ are currently third in the top division of the hugely prestigious NCAA, with Jennifer’s ‘Mizzou Tigers’ seventh in the same 50 team division.
The NCAA is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, with many of the world’s most famous swimming names coming through the ranks.
The two met recently in the pool when Missouri hosted Georgia. The Bulldogs earned a 159-140 win, with Meg coming third in the 1000-yard freestyle and Jennifer taking the third-fastest time in the 200-yard backstroke final.
The other five young athletes have also had a fantastic start to their senior swimming careers, training with some of the UK’s best swimmers at the top performance programmes in Scotland.
All of them recently appeared at the Scottish National Short Course Championships as well as the British Universities Short Course Championships.
East Kilbride coach Andy Figgins, who visited both Meg and Jennifer on a recent conference trip to the US, told the News: “This is a fantastic inspiration for all our swimmers.
“To see these seven amazing athletes enjoying success both in the pool and academically is a real testament to the values we try to instil at the club.
“There are no short-cuts. ard work, commitment, enjoyment and teamwork are what get results, and what better proof than these young men and women.”