3rd/4th March 2024
Seven Fins’ swimmers were in action last weekend at two different venues. Five swimmers travelled to the Xcite Centre, Bathgate on Saturday, for the East District event, while two travelled to Coatbridge on Sunday for the Bellshill meet, and once again did exceptionally well.
Overall, the swimmers competed in 10 events 9 of which produced some excellent PBs. Five swims achieved a 1st place finish, while the remaining five swims produced two – 2nd placings and one 3rd placing, plus a 4th and 8th place finish.
Top performance in Bathgate came from Caleb Gray who won the 13 years boys 1500m freestyle event with an exceptional PB of 2 minutes 8.76 seconds. This result means that Caleb moves from 37th to 33rd in the top 50 rankings
Another terrific performance, and a PB of 1 minute 4.05 seconds, was achieved by Eva Watson, also at Bathgate, who won the 13 years girls 1500m freestyle. Despite this improvement Eva remains in 10th place in the top 50 rankings.
Staying in Bathgate, there were two more wins. In the 11/12 boys 1500m freestyle Cole Gray won in a time of 22minutes 44.64 seconds. This was Coles first competitive swim in this event and he enters the top 50 in 38th place. No one drops out on this occasion as there are still 11 places to fill to reach the 50 mark.
The other win came from Finnley McDonald in the, 15 years boys, 200m backstroke but remains outside the top 50.
The two swims at Coatbridge produced one win and one second place with the win coming from Ethan Pate, 12/13 boys, in the 1500m freestyle while Kristin Mackay finished 2nd in the 14/15 girls 800m freestyle. Both swimmer’s position in the top 50 rankings remain unchanged with Kristin in 6th place in the Women’s 800 freestyle and Ethan in 34th place in the men’s 1500m freestyle.
The remaining swims in Bathgate resulted in a 2nd place for Sadie Paton, 11/12 girls, in the 400m freestyle. Sadie also finished 3rd in the 200m individual medley, 4th in the 200m breaststroke and 8th in the 200m freestyle.
Yet another very successful weekend.
Back row: Finnley & Eva, Front row – Caleb and Cole
Thanks, on this occasion, to Caroline McDonald for supplying the photo.
Ken White
Club Press Officer