Now that training has resumed it is perhaps a good time to review where the club and individuals are at the end of the long course season.
From a club perspective 12 individuals, 6 girls and 6 boys appear in the Scottish top 25 long course rankings There are fewer swimmers who achieve long course rankings because of the lack of long course opportunities, and swimmers normally must reach a minimum of district qualifying.
The 12 swimmers recorded a total of 69 times in the top 25 Scottish rankings, including 31 swims in the top 10 rankings.
Despite competing in just a few events, Fins top swimmer is Erin Taylor who features in the Open Category rankings, i.e. all ages from 8 years to 80 plus.
Erin is in the top 25 for three events, including a top 10 ranking –9th in the 200m breaststroke. Her other two events are 12th in the 400m individual medley and 18th in the 100m breaststroke.
Top ranked age group swimmer, in the 11 year old category, is Millie Whytock, who is ranked 2nd in both the 50m and 100m backstroke, plus 4th in the 100m freestyle and 5th in the 100m butterfly.
Also. well up in the rankings with twelve top 25 placings, nine of which are in the top 10, is Lilian Blair, in the 12 years category. Lilian is ranked 2nd in the 50m butterfly, 6th in both the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, 7th in both the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly, 9th in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m backstroke, 10th in the 50m breaststroke, 12th in the 100m and 200m freestyle, and 19th in the 200m individual medley.
The top male swimmer is Ethan Pate, in the 13 years category, who top ranking is 5th in the 400m freestyle. Ethan’s other placings are 6th in both the 200m butterfly and 1500m freestyle, 7th in the 800m freestyle, 12th in the 200m freestyle; 13th in both the 100m butterfly and 400m individual medley, 15th in the 200m individual medley, and 23rd in the 100m freestyle.
Kristin Mackay, 16 years girls, is 5th in the 1500m freestyle, 8th in both the 800m freestyle and 400m individual medley, 11th in the 400m freestyle, 13th in the 200m butterfly, 18th in the 200m individual medley, 24th in the 100m breaststroke, and 25th in the 100m butterfly.
Adam Selbie, 14 years boys, is 6th in both the 50m and 200m backstroke, 8th in the 100m backstroke, 11th in the 50m butterfly, 200m individual medley and 400m freestyle, 15th in the 100m freestyle, 17th in the 50m breaststroke, 19th in the 200m freestyle, and 21st in the 400m individual medley.
Caleb Gray, 12 years boys, 7th in the 400m individual medley and 1500m freestyle, 8th in the 800m freestyle, 9th in the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle, 19th in the 200m freestyle, 22nd in the 200m individual medley, and 24th in the 200m backstroke.
Jack Campbell, 12 years boys, 7th in the 200m freestyle, and 24th in the 50m butterfly.
Cole Gray, 12 years boys, 9th in the 200m freestyle, 18th in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley, 20th in the 100m butterfly, 23rd in the 100m freestyle, and 24th in the 50m freestyle.
Irys Blair, 14 years girls, 13th – 50m backstroke, 17th – 100m backstroke, 19th = 200m backstroke, and 22nd 400m freestyle.
Eva Watson, 13 years girls, 23rd – 400m freestyle.
Steven Pate, 17 years boys, 24th 200m breaststroke.
Another measure of the club and swimmers’ successes is where they are placed within the East District and now that the National Junior Academy participants have been selected it is good to see that Fins have doubled the number of swimmers in the East District section of the Scottish Junior Academy to six. Unfortunately, Irys has just dropped out but with some hard work and application she is still close enough to make a return next year. Also, Jack Campbell is close and could be looking for a place next year, and some of the younger swimmers, just moving into the competitive stage of swimming may produce a few surprises.
The six swimmers to be selected are Adam Selbie, Ethan Pate, Caleb Gray, Cole Gray, Lilian Blair, and Millie Whytock.
To Give you some idea of where the swimmers are in terms of the top five rankings in the East District. The following swimmers are currently ranked, in the top 5, long course.
Erin has two top 5 placings namely, 3rd in the 400m individual medley and 4th in the 200m breaststroke.
In the age groups Lilian has six first place rankings and these are in the 50m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, and 50m butterfly; two second place rankings in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly; three third place
rankings in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, and 200m individual medley; and a 4th place ranking in the 50m breaststroke.
Ethan has three first place rankings in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle; a 2nd in the 200m butterfly; 4th in the 200m freestyle, and two 5th placings in the 200m and 400m individual medley.
Millie has two first place rankings in the 50m and 100m backstroke; and two 3rd placings in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
Adam has one first place ranking for the 200m backstroke; a second in the 100m backstroke; two 3rd placings in the 400m freestyle and 50m backstroke, four 4th placings in the 100m and 200m freestyle, the 50m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley; and a 5th in the 400m individual medley
Caleb has three second place rankings in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle; and two 3rd placings in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley.
Kristin has two 3rd place rankings in the 1500m freestyle and 400m individual medley; two 4th placings in the 800m freestyle and 100m breaststroke; and two 5th placings in the 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly.
Jack has a 3rd place ranking in the 200m freestyle.
Cole has a 4th place in the 200m freestyle.
Irys has a 5th place in the 400m freestyle
Steven has a 5th place in the 200m breaststroke.
Well done to all the swimmers who achieved these results and to Head Coach Ian Lewis and Senior Coach Iain MacDonald, plus all the development coaches, teachers, and poolside helpers in progressing the swimmers to this level, through the various groups within the club..
The swimmers’ aim must now be to see how much further up the rankings they can achieve in the next four and a half months and how many more swimmers can achieve a top 25 placing in the Scottish Short Course Rankings.
‘Labore et Scientia’ – The hard work is entirely up to you, the swimmer, and the understanding comes with help from your coaches.
Ken White
Club Press Officer