ASC history kids hailed by coach
Rutherglen youngsters help SL to milestone win
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Rutherglen ASC swimmers helped South Lanarkshire clinch the top club award in a thrilling final day of the campaign.
Only 20 points separated the top two clubs going into the final day at the Scottish National Age Group Championships ( SNAGs) at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow.
South Lanarkshire and Warrender were determined to fight it out until the very end and with athletes from both clubs making regular appearances on the podium, there was great suspense until the points were read out.
S ou t h L a na r k s h i r e Swimming were confirmed as the winners for the first time, with 1036 points to Warrender’s 962 points.
Rutherglen’s SNAGS team was made up of Ethan Horn, Johann Fawcett, Sophie Bestwick, Olivia McFarlane, Louise Bradley and Elise McQueenie.
There was 43 individual swims for Rutherglen members and a relay place which was a record for the club. Only six swims were not long course PBs.
Ethan Horn had three top 10 places and two final swims. His swim of the meet was the 400IM with a gritty and determined performance.
Louise Bradley represented Rutherglen in one of the South Lanarkshire relays and Johann Fawcett was flying too as a second reserve for the final in the 100 Fly and a 13th place.
Elise McQueenie also featured well as one of the youngest swimmers taking part with a 14th and 15th place.
Olivia McFarlane swam well at her first SNAGS and secured two solid swims and PBs.
Sophie Bestwick had the hardest programme and got off to a really solid start with some great swims and long course PBs. By the end of the five days she was clearly exhausted and drained. There were nine long course age group club records, three each by Elise McQueenie, Sophie Bestwick and Ethan Horn. Sophie Bestwick also took the club’s open LC 100m fly record in 1.16.12.
Rutherglen ASC head coach Lindsay Young said: “It is a big congratulations to all Rutherglen swimmers and our club in general at all levels over the past 15 years that has helped lead to this magnificent achievement.
“For a group of clubs to get to this level from nowhere is something else as 15 years ago Rutherglen could not even get swimmers into the South Lanarkshire development meets, let alone the district or Scottish.
“And yet this year our own swimmers contributed scoring points for South Lanarkshire, as well as those of ours who have moved to East Kilbride and elsewhere.
“And the SL points could have been even better if Ross Leslie had been well. At one time South Lanarkshire would have thought beating Warrender or even Glasgow as inconceivable.”
Andy Figgins, lead coach at South Lanarkshire Swimming, said: “I must give all credit to the swimmers, they have all been magnificent this week, raising their game with every race.
“Th e y ’ v e a l s o had immense support from all the coaches and I couldn’t be happier. I’d like to thank Scottish Swimming and everyone involved with these championships for putting on such a fantastic event.”
Alan Lynn, national coach at Scottish Swimming, said: “I’m very encouraged with the performances at SNAGs. The racing at individual and team level has been terrific throughout the week.
“Particularly pleasing has been the quality of technique and competitive skills, something we have asked the coaches and swimmers to emphasise.”