ELST swimmers have had another busy series of weekends racing, with the British Championships, which were held on the first weekend of March and the Ulster Spring Qualifier meet this weekend just gone.  Over the course of these two competitions, ELST swimmers Bridget Lemasurier and Calum Peebles claimed themselves an East District Record apiece.

 

Bridget Lemasurier, who was one of ELST’s swimmer who achieved qualification to the British Championships, completed in the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke. After setting an impressive PB in her 100 Breastroke, Bridget took to the pool for her favoured event, the 50m Breastroke.  She won her heat, and in the process set a new East District 15 years record, in a time of 33.65, beating a standard that was set 11 years previously.

 

One week later, ELST then took a group of 24 swimmers over the Irish Sea to compete at the Ulster Spring Qualifier meet, in Bangor. The aim of this meet was to provide the swimmers with an opportunity to practice and hone race skills before next month’s Scottish National Age Group Championships.  The swimmers, buoyed by competing away from home, in some cases for the first time, rose to the challenge and set numerous LC personal bests and came away with bags of medals, as well as achieving the overarching outcome, better learning their race plans.  The standout performance of the meet came on the second day of competition, when Calum Peebles 11, from ELST National Squad, contested the gruelling 400 IM and came away with a sizeable East District Record, beating the previous mark by over 9 seconds.  This record had been set in 2007 by Olympian Mark Szaranek.

 

The swimmers retuned home on Monday afternoon tired, but ready for the final few weeks of preparation before the Scottish National Age Group Championships .

 

ELST Head Coach Bruce Halloran said, “ We are delighted for both Bridget and Calum, their constant hard work and commitment to their swimming has paid off.  Both swimmers, like the rest of their team mates have their sights set on the Nationals in a few weeks, where I have not doubt many more impressive times will be achieved by the ELST athletes.  Well done guys”