The 100m individual medley is a relatively recent event in Scotland. It has only been around for just over 30 years, as more 25m pools were built, and 33-1/3m pools were converted to 25m pools with the use of a boom. For example, the pools at Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, which have now been replaced with the current 25m pools. It is also only available in 25m pools, so there is no 100m individual medley long course event.
The oldest Fins’ times appear in the boys’ rankings where several entries appear going back to 1991.
In the girls’ rankings the current record was set by Caitlyn Dodds at the Glenrothes Spring meet, in March 2018, with a time of 1 minute 7.68 seconds. There is only one current member in the top 50 rankings and that is Erin Taylor who is ranked 2nd. and this was recoded at a Fife Time Trial in October 2021, and is just five one hundredths of a second short of Caitlyn’s time.
Those up and coming swimmers, in the club, need to beat a time of 1 minute 18.99 seconds to enter the top 50 rankings.
The nearest, at the moment, is Irys Blair who is just over a second away.
The current boy’s record is held by Greg Watson, recorded at the Scottish National Short Course Championships, in December 2013, whose time is 58.45 seconds, the only one under the minute mark.
Four members of the current squads are in the top 50 rankings and they are Ben Lewis in 23rd place, Blair Wardlaw in 44th place, Steven Pate in 49th, and Adam in 50th. Ben set his time in February 2020, Blair in November 2019, Steven in May 2022, and Adam in May 2023. A one second improvement would move Ben up to 20th, Blair up to 42nd, Steven up to 47th , and Adam up to 48th.
For those aspiring to enter the top 50, the time to beat stands at 1 minute 13.26 seconds.
Ethan Pate is next in line but would have to reduce his current time by 13.5 seconds,
not impossible.
‘Labore et Scientia’ – through hard work and understanding.
Ken White
Club Press Officer