The 1st weekend in June and the window for qualification for the summer nationals is closing.
With entries already in for the Age Groups in Limerick, only results from this meet and Banbridge next weekend can be added now.
21 swimmers from #teamlarne joined a multitude of others seeking to extend their season into July.
4 sessions over 2 days on the hottest weekend of the year – where else would anyone rather be 🥵
Session one
With 18 swims ranging from 50 back to 200 IM. Larne members produced 10 new PBs, 6 top 10 finishes and a silver 🥈
Session two
Only 6 swims in session 2 but 2 of them 1st time 800 efforts. Congratulations Mia Grills gaining another consideration time for the Summer in 800 free this time
3 PBs and a Gold 🥇 for Éle in 50 fly rounded off the day.
The Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex set the perfect location for Larne to compete in their Division 3B Aquasprint Final against Lecale and Olympia Swimming Club.
Larne could not have started better, achieving 1st place points for all Medley Relay events.
This pathed the way for excellent performances in the individual events with Larne earning 77 points on Backstroke, 65 points on Breaststroke, 71 points on Butterfly and 69 points on Freestyle.
Larne finished the event the same way as they started – achieving 1st place points for all Freestyle Relay events.
The Aquasprint Final concluded with the final scores being 190 points to Olympia, 280 points to Lecale and 370 points to Larne.
A massive congratulations to all swimmers from all 3 clubs and a special thank youto all of the organisers and volunteers for their commitment.
Banbridge at South Lakes was the host for the last long course gala before Division 2 and Division 1 summer nationals. This was the last chance for swimmers across our squads to obtain qualification times. As expected this gala was over subscribed and very busy.
In the Development Squad, Marco Allen, Alex Rea, Alexander Murphy, and Ethan Smyth had fantastic swims, lots of PB’s, very good racing skills on display. Marco obtained an additional Division 2 swim, followed with a 3rd place medal in the 50 Breaststroke.
Not to be outdone, Annabella Cole, Megan O’Mahony and Olivia Beggs swam some amazing races against much older, experienced competition. There were PB’s across the board, with Annabella Cole taking 1st in the 50m Breaststroke and 2nd in the 50m Butterfly.
Our Junior National and Senior Sqaud swimmers were at the event to hone their racing skills, and to obtain additional swims at the summer nationals.
For the Junior National swimmers, Asha McIlroy, Eve McKeown and Owen Wasnidge all swam well with Asha getting a PB in the 50m Breaststroke.
In the National Sqaud, Sophie Doran, Grace Coyle, Daniel Beggs, Maya Niblock and Charlie Morriss were very strong across a number of events. Sophie posted a PB in the 100m Freestyle, followed by Daniel Beggs in the same event. Charlie Morriss, placed 1st in the 100 Freestyle and 3rd in the 50m Breaststroke both with PB’s.
Well done to all swimmers, we now look forward to supporting our swimmers at European Juniors, Commonwealth and European Games, and Irish Summer Nationals.
The weekend saw a group of 28 swimmers from Larne Swimming Club aged from 11 to 26 taking part in Bangor Swimming Clubs summer sizzler meet.
The two day meet saw a group of development squad swimmers competing in their very first Long Course competition. These swimmers rose to the occasion brilliantly and equipped themselves incredibly well.
Evan Houston swimming the 100 breaststroke and knocking almost 3 seconds off his entry time breaking the club record for his age group and achieving an Irish Age Group Division 2 time.
Annabella Cole also achieved Division 2 Qualifying times in the 100 back and 50 free but unfortunately she is too you to swim in this meet but this looks great for next year. Annabella and Megan O Mahoney both broke the club record for the 100 BC
There were also New Irish summer Championship Qualifying times for Daniel Beggs (100 fly) and Oliver Smyth (100 Breast)
Finally there was a new club record and season best for Kaitlyn McCAw in 100 Fly.
So at long last, after a trials meet in April, the commonwealth council NI has announced the aquatics team for Birmingham 2022.
An aquatics team of 11 has been selected to represent Northern Ireland
SWIMMERS Danielle Hill Daniel Wiffen Jack McMillan Victoria Catterson Grace Davison Kaitlin McCaw Mollie McAlorum
PARA SWIMMERS Bethany Firth Barry McClements Siomha Nic Bradaigh
DIVER Tanya Watson
3 #teamlarne athletes have been selected as part of this team
Danielle Hill & Daniel Wiffen were preselected having represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics however both achieved the Qualifying standard set for selection to the Commonwealth team at various meets in this cycle anyway.
Danielle is a fantastic ambassador for not only our squad in Larne but also our sport in Ireland. She is testament to the adage hard work pays off. If you surround yourself with the right people, trust the process and dare to dream you can achieve anything.
Daniels career has been on an upward trajectory over the last 2 years and his move to Loughborough has paid off massively with an incredible series of swims since qualifying for Tokyo.
Danielle will contest 50/100 free 50/100 back 50 flyDaniel will contest 1500 free 400 free
Kaitlyn McCaw was selected as the 3rd girl on the 4 x 100 freestyle relay.
Having taken a hiatus from the sport to concentrate on studies Kaitlyn has shown that swimming into your twenties can and should be a rewarding experience. A great message to all younger swimmers.
Kaitlyn will contest 50/100 fly 4*100 free
These three will join Oliver Gunning on the team after Oliver was confirmed as part of the para triathlete team
Oliver will contest para triathlon
Having 4 athletes on the team from a small club is a fantastic achievement for all involved but even more important, 3 out of those 4 swim IN OUR PROGRAM every single day.
Congratulations to all who have shown that with hard work the right environment and the support of a strong squad you can achieve all you wish within a club program
Well done all we cannot wait to watch you all race this summer
It was a busy weekend for #teamlarne athletes with three different meets happening and our athletes competing all over Europe.
Aquasprint
The youngest members of our club took part in their next Aquasprint meet. This time racing against Leander Swimming Club.
With the focus of these meets on short fast swimming and lots of noise and enjoyment the result is always a secondary issue.
It is fantastic to see that the junior swimmers love to swim so much and are so supportive of each other.
The future of our club is in safe hands
Glasgow International
Kaitlyn McCaw travelled to Scotland to take part in the Glasgow International Meet in Tollcross pool.
This was Kaitlyn’s 1st representative meet and comes in the middle of a heavy block of work both in the pool and finishing her dissertation for Uni.
Kaitlyn raced 4 events and qualified for 2nd swims in all 4 making for 8 swims in 3 days. The final of the 50 fly was undoubtedly the highlight
Kaitlyn is proof that if you love swimming, there is no reason why you cannot swim past school. Having taken 6 years out of the sport to concentrate on studies Kaitlyn now has a big summer ahead of her.
Mare Nostrum
Last but by no means least, Danielle travelled to Barcelona to race on Wednesday and Thursday and then on to Canet o race Saturday and Sunday
The Mare Nostrum tour is the best athletes from around the world racing head to head over 3 meets in 8 days.
Once again D was swimming through these meets with her eyes set on a much bigger summer.
Contesting in 4 events at each meet and making finals in them all ment that Danielle raced 16 swims in 5 days. #tough
If Kaitlyn is proof that if you don’t have to stop swimming at the end of school, Danielle if the role model that hard work will always pay off
Just a short one today to say congratulations to Danielle Hill on winning the Silver Salver award at last nights University of Ulster Colours ceremony.
This is awarded for sporting excellence.
I think we can all agree there is no one more deserving
Danielle is a great role model who demonstrates that you dont have to go away to university of switch around swim programs to achieve your dreams. If you work hard and surround yourself with the right people you can achieve all you wish
For the 1st time in 2 years the National Aquatic Centre opened it doors to spectators for a National Championships. It was a nice change for the 13 athletes from Larne travelling to compete.
DAY 1
The meet got underway with Nathan Wiffen qualifying fastest for the final in the 400 free in a new PB time. Eventually finishing 2nd in the final and picking up his 1st senior LC medal.
The mens 100 Breaststroke saw Morgan Berryman post a lifetime best to qualify for the final where he once again swam a best time to finish 4th. Charlie Morriss just missed out on a 2nd swim while David Leggett placed 8th in the B final just outside his best time set in the heats
The 100 fly saw both Kaitlyn McCaw and Ele Donegan Contest the final with Kaitlyn finishing 4th in a new best time and Ele finishing 6th just outside her best time.
Danielle Hill started the week off as she intended to continue it with a Gold and seasons best in the 50 Free
The day finished with Jerry Balgos swimming the 2nd PB of his day in the 50 back to finish 4th in the junior final
Day 2
The 1st 200 Back in 3 years for Danielle Hill saw another untouchable performance at this level and a new lifetime best for her 2nd title of the week. Louisa Humphries swimming her 1st senior nationals made a great start with a junior final swim
Thomas Leggett produced the 1st of several standout swims to win the junior final in the 100 free in a new PB time while Evan Coulter finished just outside the junior final spots
Nathan Wiffen picked up his 1st National LC title in the 200 Back in another lifetime best while Jerry continued his progress making another junior final.
The mens 50 fly say Morgan Beryman win the B Final and David Leggett swim to a best time in the Junior Finale.
Day 3
Morgan and Charlie were both back in action in the 50 Breaststroke each finishing with best times in 6th in Final and making the Junior final respectively
the womens 100 free produced the swim of the meet as Danielle destroyed the Irish senior record and became the 1st irish female under 55 seconds, it was a dominating swim and her 3rd title. Kaitlyn McCaw made it a double reason for celebration placing 4th Northern Irish and giving herself a chance for nomination to the Commonwealth Games team.
Thomas continued his rapid development with another PB in the 100 Fly to again win the Junior final while ‘little brother’ David also smashed his best time to finish 2nd in B final
The Womans 50 fly say Danielle once again produce a record breaking swim and she was followed home in 3rd by Kaitlyn in a season best
Day 4
The Mens 200 free and again Thomas Leggett impressed with a Junior Final win while Nathan finished his meet off with a B final win.
Danielle made it a hattrick of Backstroke titles in the 100 and Louisa qualified for her 2nd Junior final just outside her best time
Evan Coulter and Jerry Balgos both qualified for the Junior final of the 100 Back
While Morgan Berryman posted a best time to finish just outside the medals in the 200 breast. Unfortunately Charlie false started in this event.
Day 5
Ele Donegan had her best swims of the meet in the 200 free placing 6th in the final
Danielle made it a clean sweep of 6 titles with a win in the 50 back
Louisa PBd in her 3rd final in the same event.
Evan made the junior final in the 50 free
In a meet that saw Danielle win 6 titles and break an irish senior record oys hard to imagine her being outshone but…….
Thomas Leggett produced the shock of the meet with 2 incredible swims in the 50 free, breaking the Ulster junior record twice and posting a QT for the european Junior Champioships….talk about a dark horse.
So with the trials over we now wait to see who has been selected for the summer internationals, hopefully SI wont make us wait too long.
#TeamLarne hosted the 1st post covid Antrim Championships in their home pool on the Antrim Coast this weekend.
Thank You to our very generous sponsors above
This one day meet comprised 3 sessions with the very youngest swimmers contesting 25m on each stroke. As always the support and noise generated by these young athletes is incredible and its always fantastic to see.
The Second and third sessions comprised 50s and 100s on all four strokes and a 200 IM.
With over 360 swimmers entered from 19 clubs spanning the entire province, contesting in 1600+ swims parents and swimmers alike enjoyed a return to normal business of racing and having some fun.
Development Squad Coach Danielle Hill was on hand all day to offer support and feedback to not only those swimmers under her guidance but to everyone as she gave pointers and advice to anyone seeking to gain from her experiences.
The hard work by all parents, volunteers and coaches from every club, but especially our own very special group, was clear to see as the number of personal best swims grew across every session.
After a tough couple of years for grass roots swimming it is great to see that the enthusiasm of club coaches and parents has not waned.
#Teamlarne would like to thank everyone who made the trip to Larne and congratulate everyone on some fantastic races and a hugely enjoyable meet.
The 2nd round of the Swim Ulster Aspiring Champions series took place in Bangor Aurora over the weekend.
27 athletes from across the entire competitive club represented #teamlarne over the 2 day meet,
For some this was their very first experience of racing in a long course pool (for a few it was their very 1st meet of any kind) while for others it was an opportunity to qualify for the Summer championships or Nationals.
From the development squad Ryan Cleland swam Best times in both the 100 free and 100 breast, Emma Robinson competing in her 1st Long course meet and Ellie Kane, competing in her 1st ever meet swam really well in the 100 free 100 and 50 breast and Marco Allen achieved an Irish Summer Championship Div II Qualifying time in the 100 Breast.
The Competitive squads saw great swims for everyone with Daniel Beggs and Aaron Caskey Qualifying for Irish Summer Championships and Pheobe Simpson Oliver Smyth and Eve McKeown posting times for the Div II meet in July.
The senior club saw new Qualifying times for Irish Summer open for Ellie Falls while Maya Niblock and Sophie Doran both swim best times and came agonizingly close to qualifying.
The athletes focused on Irish Nationals next month used this meet as a tough racing opportunity before final preparations start for their target meet.
Congratulations to every om a great weekend of racing.
TeamLarne 