Eleven year old Sophie Morris very successfully brought home two silver and two bronze medals from the Buckie Age Group Championships at the weekend. Competing in the 10/11 year age group, the South Mainland ASC youngster started her tremendous weekend by slicing over half a minute from her PB in the 400m freestyle with a fantastic time of 5.26.72 to take her first silver medal. Throughout a demanding schedule of ten races in the 2 day competition her excellent form never deteriorated when race after race she produced times faster than entry times. On the Saturday she improved her 100m backstroke by 3 seconds and her 200m freestyle by 14 seconds. Sunday morning started with Sophie breaking her target time in the 100m freestyle and with a superb 1.12.19 she won the bronze. In the last session of the weekend a very strong 400m IM gained her another silver with a time of 6.20.67, and shortly afterwards she smashed her 100m butterfly time to take the bronze and finished her day with a five second PB in her 200m backstroke. Not only was each of Sophie’s times a PB, but times produced in her 400s and 200s are within qualifying standard for Scottish Swimming’s District Regional Programme (DRP).
Also swimming in the same age group was 10 year old Erraid Davies, who competed in seven events. She successfully matched her entry time for the 400m freestyle which was followed by a very good 2 second PB in her backstroke for a 1.29.27. Two more PBs were gained in the 200m freestyle with a 2.53.10 and the 100m freestyle with a 1.20.41.
Vhairi Davies, 12, swam 6 events and gained PBs in the 100m backstroke with a 1.23.49 and in the 200m freestyle with a 2.47.78.
South Mainland had two 13 year old boys competing. James Morris raced in nine events and showed his greatest improvements in the 200m events. New PBs were achieved with a 2.31.95 in the freestyle and an excellent 8 seconds off his time in backstroke gave him a 2.47.62. His 100m backstroke went under the 1.20 for the first time with a 1.19.50. At only his second competition south, Philip Hilditch gained a PB in each of his three races. His 100m freestyle was a 1 second improvement from last month with a 1.11.07, while his 200m freestyle was a 2.33.50 and 200m breaststroke a 3.31.06.
Scottish Swimming Stroke Camp
Meanwhile, South Mainland’s Eddie Price,12, having taken part in last year’s DRP was participating in one of Scottish Swimming’s ‘Stroke Camps’at the National Swimming Academy in Stirling. Lead Coach, Rob Greenwood, one of the country’s top coaches instructed and inspired not only the 24 selected swimmers but provided valuable experience for accompanying club coaches. Eddie learned a great deal during the day, as did SMASC coach Jan Price.
Scottish Masters
Prior to attending the stroke camp, Jan had been competing at the Scottish Masters held at Tollcross, Glasgow. Over 3 sessions, she raced 9 events and was pleased to finish within a fraction of a second of her times from last year in many events. In her age group, 50-54 years, she achieved 2 bronze, 5 silver and 1 gold. Jan opted to substitute receiving medals for a donation per medal to this year’s nominated charity the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
