The Swim Ulster Schools Cup & Championships 2019 took place at the Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor over Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th of October. Eight St Michael’s swimmers made the journey to this event and put in a huge effort which is reflected in their performances on the day with 1 Bronze Medal and numerous Personal best swim times. It was great to see 5 of the St. Michaels swimmers performing so well in their first competitive school’s gala.
The first relay of the day for St. Michaels boys was the 200m Medley Relay with Austin Cassidy (Back), Conal Walker (Breast), Jamie Lannon (Fly) & Darren Woods (Free) putting in a gallant effort to finish 5th out of 12 schools. The second relay for the year 8 boys was the 200m Freestyle with Austin, Conal, Darren & Shay McCarney all putting in a strong performance to finish 6th out of 11 teams.
Conal Walker (11): This was Conal's second ever swimming gala. He thoroughly enjoyed the excitement and camaraderie involved with both the medley and freestyle relays. This was Conal's first time swimming 50m freestyle competitively, he looks forward to beating this time at his next gala. Conal swam really well in the 50m breaststroke and managed to take 2.39 off his PB to achieve a time of 56.67.
Not long back to training after surgery, Jamie (11) was pleased to qualify for the minor schools, and a place in the final in both the 100 m IM and the 50 free on saturday. Jamie was delighted with PB’s in both events, and won the Bronze medal in the 50m free. Sunday morning saw him work on his skills and perform consistent swims in both the 100m breast stroke and 200m IM.
Darren Woods (12) took part in his first school competition for St. Michael's college as a new year 8 student. Darren swam in the 2 relays. He then took part in the 50m freestyle achieving a superb 3.43sec PB. His last race of the day was the 50m breaststroke with another good swim. Darren enjoyed taking part in this competition.
Shay McCarney (11) swam really well as part of the freestyle relay team, and in both 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, narrowly missing out on PB’s, but excellent times considering he has not swum since June.
Austin Cassidy (11) swam in the two relays for St. Michaels and 2 individual events. He achieved an excellent 6.74 second PB in his 50m freestyle race and an incredible 11.85sec PB in his 50m backstroke. He thoroughly enjoyed the team spirit evident amongst the five year 8 boys and the wider St Michael’s team.
The Buchanan brothers were in flying form at the Swim Ulster Schools Championship. Representing St. Michaels college, Frank (12) swam his favoured 100m backstroke, achieved a small PB, and qualified for the final. He then swam the 100m freestyle maintaining his time. Frank’s final swim of the day was the final of the 100m back stroke, he was delighted to come away placing 6th overall in a highly competitive field.
Luke Aiken (15) competed in the 100m back stroke and 100m freestyle. He had fantastic swims in both strokes whilst maintaining his personal best times. A busy gala thoroughly enjoyed while taking part for his school.
Ben Lynch (15) finished in 9th place in the 400m freestyle open event. He followed this with PB’s in the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle gaining places in the finals and finishing in 7th place for both.
After a long weekend of swimming, consisting of individual races, and individual and team relay races, the event drew to a close with tired but exhilarated youngsters. Proud of their achievements and their swimming, and rightly so.
Photos: A0005 Darren Woods, A0006 Jamie Lannon 50m Breast Stroke Bronze Medal, A0007 Luke Aiken, Frank Buchanan, Ben Lynch, A0008 Jamie Lannon, Austin Cassidy, Conal Walker.
Swimmers that attended Swim Ulster Schools Cup and Championships 2019/2020 in Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex over the weekend. A great display of technique, skill and ability shown by all swimmers.
Missing from photos is Shay mc Carney.
1. Darren Woods
2. Luke Aiken, Frank Buchanan, Ben Lynch
3. Jamie Lannon
4. Jamie Lannon, Austin Cassidy, Conall Walker