End of Year Report Card

How did Fins perform competitively as a club in 2023?

Considering that Fins is a relatively small club, even in Fife, the answer must be exceedingly well.

In terms of swimmers progressing up the ‘Pathway to the Top’ one swimmer features in the top 25 of the British age group rankings, two swimmers feature in the Scottish Open rankings (all ages), and 15 swimmers are in the top 25 rankings in the Scottish age group rankings, and several other swimmers are not too far away. The ranking position below are the official rankings, except for some of the distance events 400m and above, because the District Championships are not posted yet, plus one 9 year old time, so I have put in where the swimmers will/could be ranked.

Currently, Fins’ most successful swimmer is Erin Taylor who has four top 25 rankings in the 18 years British rankings – 7^th in the 200m breaststroke, 10^th in both the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley, and 11^th in the 100m breaststroke. In the Scottish Open Rankings Erin is ranked 8^th in the 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley; and 16^th in both the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

In the Scottish 18 years rankings Erin is ranked 1^st in both the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley; 2^nd in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke; 3^rd in the 50m breaststroke; 5^th – 100m butterfly; 8^th – 200m individual medley; 9^th – 50m butterfly; 13^th – 50m backstroke; and 14^th 100m freestyle.

The other swimmer in the top 25 of the Scottish Open rankings is 15 year old Kristin Mackay who will be 23^rd in the 1500m freestyle. Kristin also features in nine of the Scottish 15 years girls’ rankings – 3^rd – 1500m freestyle; 6^th in both the 400m and 600m freestyle; 9^th in both the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley; 13^th – 200m freestyle; 17^th in both the 100m butterfly and the 200m individual medley; and 25^th – 100m breaststroke.

Doing well in the 10 years girls’ rankings is Millie Whytock, who has three second place rankings in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, plus a 3^rd place ranking in the 200m freestyle. Millie’s other rankings are – 6^th – 100m individual medley; 7^th in both the 50m freestyle and 100m breaststroke; 8^th – 100m freestyle; 11^th – 50m butterfly; 21^st – 50m breaststroke.

The most prolific swimmer in terms of Scottish age group rankings is 13 year old Adam Selbie, who feature in sixteen – 3^rd – 100m individual medley, and will be 3^rd in the 1500m freestyle; 5^th in both the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle; 7^th – 50m backstroke; 8^th – 50m butterfly; 9^th – 800 freestyle; 10^th – 200m individual medley; 13^th – 200m breaststroke; 14^th – 200m backstroke; 16^th – 50m breaststroke; 17^th in both the 50m and 100m freestyle; 20^th in both the 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly; and 24^th 100m breaststroke.

In the 12 years boys is Ethan Pate, who will be 3^rd in the 800m freestyle; 4^th – 400m freestyle; will be 5^th – 1500m freestyle; 8^th – 200m butterfly; 9^th – 400m individual medley. 11^th – 100m butterfly; 13^th in both the  200m breaststroke and 100m individual medley; 15^th – 200m freestyle; 16^th – 100m freestyle; 17^th – 200m backstroke; and 23^rd in both the 50m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

Not far behind Adam with 15 rankings is Lilian Blair, 11 years girls – 4^th – 400m individual medley; 5^th in both the 50m and 200m backstroke. Lilian has four 6^th place rankings – 50m butterfly, 50m and 200m breaststroke, and 100m backstroke; 7^th – 100m individual medley; 8^th – 200m individual medley; 9^th – 50m freestyle; 12^th – 400m freestyle; 13^th – 200m freestyle; 18^th in both the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly; and 22^nd in the 100m breaststroke.

!2 year old Caleb Gray is currently ranked 10^th and 12 for the 800m and 400m freestyle respectively but when the District Championships results are applied Caleb’s rankings will be 5^th and 11^th respectively, Caleb’s other rankings are – 13^th – 400m individual medley; 15^th – 200m butterfly; and 25^th – 100m butterfly

11 year old Jack Campbell’s Scottish rankings are – 6^th – 50m butterfly; 9^th – 100m butterfly; 21^st in both the 200m individual medley and 200m backstroke; and 22^nd – 50m freestyle.

Irys Blair, 13 years girls’ rankings are – 7^th – 800m freestyle; 11^th – 1500m freestyle; 21^st – 200m backstroke; and 23^rd – 200m butterfly.

12 year old Eva Watson will be ranked 7^th in the 800m free when the East District Championship results are included. Eva’s other rankings are – 13^th – 1500 freestyle; 18^th – 400m individual medley; and the 400m freestyle will be 19^th.

Cole Gray, 11 years boys’ rankings are – 12^th – 100m backstroke; 14^th – 200m breaststroke; 15^th – 400m freestyle; 18^th in both the 100m and 200m individual medley; 20^th – 200m freestyle; and 23^rd – 100m butterfly.

Steven Pate, 16 years boys is ranked 16^th in the 200m breaststroke, and 20^th in the 50m breaststroke.

Jennifer Gordon, 17 years girls is ranked 16^th in the 800m freestyle.

9 year old Charlie Jack does not appear in the rankings, and although there are rankings based on the results of the recent Warrender meet the12 and under swimmers at the meet were swimming under a level 3 licence and Scottish Swimming only recognises levels 1 and 2 for ranking purposes. However, Charlie’s time from the Warrender meet would rank him in 18^th place in the 50m breaststroke.

10 year old Grace Mills, is the final swimmer to make the top 25 in the Scottish Age Group rankings, in 22^nd place in the 50m breaststroke.

Apart from Erin all the swimmers will carry their times, and rankings, into the next age group year from 1^st January 2024. For Erin, however, her times will be carried forward but her rankings will now be restricted to the Open rankings.

It is impressive to see what the swimmers have achieved over the past 12 months and the challenge now is to continue the improvement throughout 2024.

This will be achieved by the swimmers understanding of what the coaches are doing and by doing the RIGHT things in training, but doing the RIGHT things CORRECTLY.

As the swimmers attempt to improve and hopefully rise up the rankings the one thing, they should NOT do is to concern themselves with who is above, or below, them in the rankings. What the MUST DO is to work with their coaches to focus on their OWN swimming, and the rest will take care of itself.

The above positions show that there is lots of potential in the various squads so we can all look forward to a successful 2024.

Well done to all the swimmers, coaches, and teachers.

Keep up the good work.

Ken White
Club Press Officer