Swim team’s success at the Highland championships
Young Lochaber swimmers showed ‘massive improvements’ at the recent Highland Schools Swimming Championships in Inverness, with 12 swimmers now hoping for a place in the national finals in January.
The Lochaber Leisure Centre Swim Team had 40 swimmers competing at the annual Highland schools event in Inverness on November 7 with representatives from primary and secondary schools across the area taking part in what was the team’s most successful championships.
The team now has 22 recorded times going forward for consideration to qualify for the Scottish Finals held in January 2019, at Tollcross Swimming Pool, Glasgow.
The times need to be in the first three of the age group in a regional gala and meet the Scottish consideration times – a big achievement. Once all qualification times have been entered from all around Scotland, the top 20 to 30 swimmers qualify for the finals.
The team has 12 possible finalists – beating its previous best of eight. The Lundavra Primary School relay team could also be entered for the national relay championships, which take part in the June, after the announcement of successful teams in March.
This year was the team’s brightest performance at the schools competition in terms of medal positions, new personal bests and Scottish Schools consideration times.
The team were presented their medals and certificates at a special prize-giving ceremony at the Lochaber Leisure Centre last week.
Thirteen – 14 age group: In this category, Lochaber Swim Team had 13 swimmers participating in races, with 23 personal bests and one new age group record from Hannah Loughray.
Also, four gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze medal was achieved.
From this group, the team has five recorded times going forward as possible entries for the Scottish finals.
Evie Jay Clark (two times), Danni Maclean (two times) and Hannah Loughray (one time) managed to swim the qualifying times.
Fifteen – 16 age group: 10 swimmers produced 15 new personal bests from 18 swims, as well as two new club records and two age group records.
Three gold medals, three silver medals and seven bronze medals were achieved.
The successful swimmers who have had times put forward for Scottish Schools finals from this age group are: Jenna MacLean (two times), Laurin MacDonald (two times), Poppy Valentine (two times) and Alice-Ann MacPherson (one time).
Seventeen to 19 age group: The team had five swimmers compete in this category and managed one new club record, three personal bests, five gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal.
Consideration times for Scottish schools were achieved by Aimee McKay (two times), Jack Hamilton (two times), William (two times) and Jackson (two times).
The coaching staff hailed the success of the ‘fantastic’ competition and thanked everyone involved with the club ‘that has helped in anyway to bring about Cann Millie this massive improvement in swimming in Lochaber’, including the committee, judges, timekeepers, coaches, pool staff and parents who bring their children to swim.