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Ards Junior Open Gala-2015
The 16th May was the date for this gala and Newtownards Club set up a gala where qualifying times
for Division 2 could still be achieved. However the age range was 11 years and under. Thirty
swimmers from our Junior Club travelled to the venue along with coaches Doretta and Patrick.
We had swimmers as young as 7 years of age. Lauren Burns-Atkins and Katie McFarlane swam their
hearts out and showed great potential for their future in swimming. Katie made the final in 25m
backstroke and just missed out on the 25m breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle finals by a whisker.
Lauren was on her tail the whole time! Very impressive swims from such young girls! 8 year old Ciara
Daly was in great form as she came close to making finals several times. 9 year olds, Holly McKibbin,
Dia McCrory and Alana Burns-Atkins also showed great prowess in the water.
The 10 year old girls included Ellie Bingham and Sarah McEvoy. Sarah was 10th in the 100IM which is
a tough swim and Ellie was 10th in 100m backstroke. Sarah claimed a bronze medal in 100m IM! The
11 year old girls consisted of Rachel Blemmings, Kathryn McGrath, Aidin Quinn, Jennifer Morrow,
Rachel Allenby, Sorcha Boersma, Elinor Bradley, Kevina Burns, Oriana Thompson, Aisling Fusciardi
and Ellie Murphy. Rachel B was on a roll and achieved 3 bronze medals in 100m backstroke, 100m
breaststroke and 100m freestyle and was 4th in 100IM. Kathryn was 5th in 100m freestyle, 7th in 100m
fly and 50m backstroke. Aidin was 6th in 100m freestyle, just coming in on Kathryn’s heels and she
was 10th in 100m backstroke and 10th in 100m breaststroke. Jennifer was 10th in 100m freestyle.
Rachel was 12th in 100IM. Oriana and Elinor were 10th and 11th respectively in 50m freestyle.
Our youngest male swimmers were 8 year olds Caelan McCracken and Pearse Rice who swam their
hearts out at their first Open Competition in individual swimming. 9 year olds Jack Dougan, Carter
Bell and Issac Forsythe were not knew to this Open Competition and more experience helps to get
faster times. Jack was 9th in 25m backstroke, 11th in 100m IM and 12th in 25m freestyle. Issac was in
top form and reached finals in 25m backstroke and 25m freestyle and came in 5th position in both
finals! Carter had a strong 25m backstroke and came in 13th just behind Jack. Great swimming boys!
10 year old boys Niall McGeown, Ronan Quinn, Peter McGrath and Christopher Mahood all swam
well. Niall came 2nd in 100m breaststroke and Ronan came 9th. Niall came 6th in 50m fly, 2nd in 100m
backstroke and 100m freestyle. Ronan was 8th in 100m freestyle and won a gold medal in 100m fly.
What a superb swim!
11 year olds Peter Bigley and Dawson Patterson were ready for speed. Peter was 3rd in 100m
freestyle and Dawson was 6th. Peter was 4th in 100m fly and Dawson 6th. Peter was 4th in 50m free
and Dawson was 9th in 100m breaststroke. Peter claimed a silver medal in 100m IM!
The big wins of the day had to include the 11 year old relay team who won gold in both Medley relay
and Freestyle relay. These swimmers were of course cousins Rachel Blemmings and Peter Bigley and
Kathryn McGrath and Dawson Patterson.
What an exciting gala! Thanks as always to coaches Doretta and Patrick Dougan. Also Gina for doing
stroke judge and Mary was also invaluable in helping our swimmers!