Lisburn City Swimming Club

Age Group Squad went South on Sunday 13^th December to take part in the NUIM Devils Christmas Cracker. This was a meet organised by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth which took place at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.

The day was split into two halves, the older kids swimming in the morning  and the younger  children taking part in the afternoon.

It was an early start for the 9 who took part in the morning session;  Rachel McMurray, Hannah Taylor, Lucy Scott, Matthew Walker, Robert Allison, Paige McKeown, Michael Mitchell, Nathan Jones and Jessica Peel. The  event was OPEN so some tough swimming had to take place in this very competitive category. The swimmers did not disappoint. There were great performances and they gave their best collecting medals along the way and registering some fantastic pbs.

Lucy Scott  achieved 3^rd in 400 Free, 3^rd in 100 Free, 1st in 100 Fly and 3rd in 50 Fly. Hannah Taylor 1^st in the 100IM and 3^rd in the 200 Freestyle.  Matthew Walker had pbs in all his events and got 3^rd in 100IM. Jessica Peel added to the Lisburn medals with a 3rd in the 100 Backstroke. Robert Allison 3^rd in the 50 Backstroke.  Michael Mitchell showed he was coming back on form and in all of his 4 events, he registered new pbs.  Nathan Jones also made some personal achievements by swimming strongly in his events. Paige McKeown had a fantastic 400 Free registering a new pb.  Rachel McMurray also had a good day with pbs in all her events.

The afternoon session was was a much bigger event and went well into the evening. It saw swimmers as young as 6 years old taking part. The Lisburn swimmers were competing in the 11/12 year old groups and had super performances. Chloe Richards (1^st 100 Back, 2^nd 50 Free 1^st 100 Free), Alex Walker (2^nd 100 Back, 1^st 100 Fly, 3^rd 100 Free), Zoe Smyth (3^rd 100 Free), Natasha Pollock (3^rd 50 Free, 2^nd 100 Fly), Cameron McAteer (3^rd 100 Back, 3rd 100 Breast, 1^st 100 Free, 1st 50 Free), Ruth Russell (1^st 100 Back, 2^nd 100 Breast, 1^st 100 Fly, 1st 100 Free, 1^st 50 Free), Hannah Watson and Callum Taylor.  The 11/12 year old girls, Chloe Richards, Hannah Watson, Ruth Russell and Natasha Pollock  were on form in both relays; 200M Freestyle and 200M Medley getting two well deserved 1^st place positions. All of these young swimmers registered new personal bests on Sunday which finished their year off on a high.

There was also a visit in the afternoon by a man in a big RED SUIT….giving out gifts………..Ho Ho  Ho……

This competition was a first for Age Group Squad and was a great opportunity for them to swim against their competitors from the four provinces of Ireland.

Well done to everyone!