Shetland Sprints, 21 March 2010

Sunday 21st March was a very busy swimming day for nearly all South Mainland swimmers age 11 and over, who took part in the Shetland Sprints at the Clickimin.

For several swimmers this was their first outing to the event, and along with those who have had more experience, had a very successful day, at the end of which at least 64 personal best times had been achieved by the team of 15.

In the boys age groups, South Mainland took two of the champion titles – Darin Eldridge, 12, in the 11/12 years, achieving 4 pbs while winning all five races, and Donnie Price,13, for the 13/14 age group, winning 4golds and 1 silver – all pbs.

Other medallists in individual races were;

• Eddie Price, 11, silver in fly, breaststroke, IM & bronze in free.

• James Morris, bronze in backstroke.

• Karl Eldridge, silver in breaststroke and bronze in fly, back & IM.

• Vhairi Davies, 11, bronze in backstroke.

• Kirsty Laurenson, 14, silver in breaststroke.

• Jan Price, 51, was also awarded for her efforts – bronze in each race – due to there only being 3 swimmers in the age group.

Every swimmer achieved something on the day – here’s a list, nowhere near complete, but a mention of some highlights;

• Curstaidh Mackay, 11, – a superb 9 second pb for IM & tremendous last leg of the relay.

• Cara Steven, 11, – 2 seconds off backstroke time and gigantic 24 seconds off her IM.

• Vhairi Davies, 11, – Bronze in backstroke with a good pb & 3 seconds improvement in fly.

• Lucy Morris, 12, – Breaststroke – brilliant 4 seconds pb, & 5 seconds for the IM

• Morven Davies, 13, - Demonstrating she can swim fly with an 8 second pb, & 7 sec pb for her IM.

• Kirsty Laurenson, 14, – Making pbs only weeks after recent competition & winning silver in her least favourite stroke, breaststroke

• Jan Price, 51, - getting a 0.12 pb for Breaststroke and not getting caught by big Callum in the freestyle relay.

• Eddie Price, 11, - 7 second pb in IM. Runner up in age group. Fabulous freestyle leg of medley relay.

• Scott Riise, 11, - Pbs in 4 out of 5 races.

• James Morris, 12, - Pb every time he hit the water. Bronze in backstroke.

• Philip Hilditch, 12, - Having a super first time with immense pbs such as 16seconds off breaststroke.

• Darin Eldrige, 12, - Getting the champion title – what else is there?!

• Jason Riise, 13, - Five out of five for pbs – with a 4 second pb for IM

• Donnie Price, 13, - Swimming in lane 6 for each event against the big guys. 5/5 pbs including 4 seconds off IM.

• Karl Eldridge, 14, - Pbs all day long – fantastic drop in time for breaststroke.

• Nathan Hilditch, 15, - Incredible improvements in all strokes – whacking 16 seconds off backstroke, 13 off breaststroke and 10second in free for a very respectable time.

Many of the swimmers also took part in the relays, and for some this was the first time in the Clickimin, having only done them at Beta League. The boys 13 & under had two terrific races against Delting but were just out-touched by the tiniest of margins in both events. In the girls 13& under, South Mainland was a young team with more 11 year olds than the stronger teams from other clubs, but to their credit and a marvellous last leg by Curstaidh Mackay, came 3rd in the freestyle relay.

For the first time, the gala had mixed relays for the 14 years and over, and the SMASC team comprised of ALL of their swimmers in this age group – Kirsty, Karl, Nathan and Jan were up against Delting and Lerwick who both had several Shetland record holders past and present in their teams. In both the races, Jan, as the 3rd swimmer had the additional challenge of trying hard to ensure that we wouldn’t be lapped –and succeeded – just! The next challenge was all trying to fit on the podium to collect the medals.