Donnie Price, representing South Mainland ASC, swam 11 events in the boys’ 13 year age group and had a most successful championships, returning home with a gold medal as Scottish Champion in one event and silver and bronze medals for a further two.
On day one of the 4 day competition, he headed off with a great start. Qualifying for the first time for the 200m butterfly, he managed to knock 10 seconds off his long course time to finish in 17th place with a time of 2.47.99.
This was followed by a Pb in the heats of the 100m freestyle. His time of 1.01.84 gave him 8th ranked place for the final, which he then improved to 5th when again he had a Pb to bring his time down to1.01.20.
Taking place in the afternoon of the first day was the event at the other end of the range; the 1500m freestyle. Donnie had an amazing swim and, with an 18.08.65, won the event and was awarded the Scottish Age Group Champion title, repeating last year’s success.
Day two brought more chances to gain long course Pbs, and again started very well with an excellent 100m butterfly. His time of 1.10.98 gave him 13th place. In the afternoon it was the 400m IM. A tough race in a 50m pool, this was Donnie’s first ever experience of the event long course and he was extremely pleased to swim a 5.28.89 and achieve 12th place.
The third day started with Donnie producing another Pb in the 100m breaststroke; with a 1.23.60 he came 12th, a reserve for the final. In the 200m IM he had another well paced swim to finish in 2.34.96, once more a Pb and 13th place. In the afternoon session, Donnie raced a superb 400m freestyle, and with a time of 4.37.80 won his second medal, the bronze.
Sunday, the last day of the competition, started with the 200m freestyle. Aiming to make the final, Donnie produced a Pb time of 2.13.67, comfortably gaining a place in the final. In next race, the 200 breaststroke, he managed to meet his target of breaking 3 minutes. However he was disappointed that his time of 2.59.49 meant 12th place, again reserve finalist, knowing that only half a second faster would have given him the desired place.
In the afternoon session, Donnie faced his last distance event, the 800m freestyle. In a heat with 14 year olds pushing him all the way, he finished well inside his entry time in a 9.28.63. At that point he was fastest 13year old and with only 2 more swimmers his age left to swim, he was guaranteed a medal. Only the outstanding Jordan Hughes of North Ayrshire finished faster, so Donnie won silver, bringing his medal tally to one of each colour.
One last race remained in the evening’s finals. Although he had made a Pb in the morning heats, Donnie knew that with slightly different pacing he could better his time. He had a brilliant race and improved his time by a further 1.5 seconds to finish in 5th place with a 2.12.08.
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