Leander lost to Templemore on Saturday night at Castlereagh. Not the best of nights from the Leander team. We tried hard to gain a consolation win from a pretty dismal season but just didn't have enough.
There will be a summary of the season coming up in the next few weeks. I hope everyone will appreciate it and take it in the correct context.
(16/3/2009) Ulster Age Group / Youth Championships
Lisburn was host to the Ulster Age Group / Youth Championships over the past weekend. This competition is open to all our junior swimmers and usually features some fast times. This year was no different. Some of the times thrown down by Leander were stunning!
The competitors were Christian Bennison, Amy Dornan, Matthew Harkness, Naomi Harkness, Eoghan McManus, Adam Meek and Chloe Shanks.
Without a doubt the star performer of the meet was Matthew Harkness. If you remember, Matty won bronze in the 1500m Freestyle at the Ulster Open Championships and was key in the silver medal winning 4 x 100m Freestyle relay. Over the weekend he swam 8 events and swam 8 P.B.'s, medalling in all but two. Four Gold and 2 Silver. Seems like he's had enough of this bronze lark! Fantastic swimming!
The standout swim of the meet would have to be Matthew's as well...his 100m Fly. 59.99! It was his first sub 60 time and what a way to do it. It wasn't his only breakthrough swim either. A negative split 1:59.16 in the 200m Free was also amazing. He showed fantastic composure and true skill in producing his first sub 2:00 200m Free.
A special mention must also be given to Christian (400m Free - 3rd, 200m Fly - 2nd) and Amy (100m Free - 3rd, 200m Free - 3rd, 400m Free - 3rd) who both produced some great best times to reach the podium.
Check out the results page to see a full list of times and placings.
(15/3/2009) International Schools - Swansea, Wales.
Over the weekend in the annual WISE International competition Leander had two of its best young swimmers competing. This is a long course competition that pits the best young swimmers from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales against each other. This year the Swansea pool in Wales was the host.
The swimmers for this competition were selected earlier on this month after successful swims at the Irish Schools in the N.A.C., Dublin. Conor Donnelly and Sycerika McMahon, our Ulster and Irish Champions, were part of Team Ireland.
Conor swam the individual 200m (2:09.00), 400m Freestyle (4:11.28) and the second leg in the senior 4x100m freestyle relay. He placed 5th in the 400m, 7th in the 200m and along with the rest of the boys placed 2nd in the relay.
Sycerika swam the individual 100m brst (1:12.51), 400m freestyle (4:23.34), 200m I.M. (2:22.42), brst on the 12-14 age Medley relay and anchored the 12-14 age Freestyle relay. She placed 1st in the 100m brst, 1st in 400m freestyle, 1st in the 200m I.M. and 2nd with the girls in both the Medley and Freestyle relays.
Congrats to both Conor and Sycerika for their swims. Let's try and get a few more representatives on the team next year. We want to see all the Leander swimmers on these international teams and squads!
(14/3/2009) PTL - LEANDER vs Templemore
Date: 21/03/09
Venue: Castlereagh
Time: 6.00pm
You MUST confirm attendance at this gala on or before 16th March to Kathryn or Bobby.
(We had problems with the last PTL to Lurgan. This is VITAL for the team. You HAVE to let people know if you can or cannot attend.)
All swimmers should wear their club gear. It is good to be able to identify all Leander swimmers in the pool by wearing swim hats. Team spirit everyone!
Remember you need to bring an extra towel and t-shirt to use during the gala so that you do not get cold between events.
Boys are asked to bring sandwiches and girls are asked to bring tray bakes, buns etc. Everyone is invited to supper afterwards.
To family and friends. PLEASE attend and provide help and support. It doesn't matter what help you can provide, anything and everything is of benefit. We will need approximately 20 volunteers to help with the running of the gala and (just in case you were wondering)...No experience necessary!!
(6/3/2009) Fundraising notice
Bag packing in Sainsbury's
1pm-6pm
6th September 2009
More details to follow
There will be no fundraising meeting on monday night.
We're getting closer to kick-off time guys and gals for our annual summer training camp. As you all know by now we are going to Lignano, Italy and it promises to be a fantastic trip. Just a quick update to keep everyone in the loop.
The flights and accommodation have been booked so we are ready to go.
FLIGHT TIMES
Depart Dublin - Sunday June 28. 6:10 a.m. Flight No - FR9452.
Depart Venice - Sunday July 12. 10:05 a.m. Flight No - FR9451.
SWIMMERS AND ROOMS
Room 1
Rebecca Barry
Sycerika McMahon
Room 2
Conor Donnelly
Eoghan McManus
Room 3
David Elliot
Conal Cahill
James Rooney
Adam Meek
Gareth Hill
Christian Bennison
Room 4
David Madine
Craig Meek
Neil Larkin
Luke Klamaki
I would like to make a few points.
One. This is a training camp where swimmers go to get FITTER, not fit. There is no point turning up the day of the trip and saying, "This'll be fun, I haven't trained in weeks!" You have to buckle down and do some serious training from NOW until we go. I do mean from NOW…not next week.
Second. (This is mainly directed towards parents). Swimmers will need their NORMAL training gear. When we are heading away there is a tendency to buy new and expensive training equipment. There is zero need. We use the same stuff as we do at home. Toggs, costumes and towels dry between sessions and boards will just be constantly wet! There are land training sessions so athletic clothes and trainers will be used. Spares of each item are beneficial, i.e. spare goggles & hats. However, it is obviously your own choice what you decide to bring.
Nice and simple. Updates will be posted online as well as the notice board in C’reagh. If you think there is a need for anything else give me a shout and I will add it to either of the lists.
(1/3/2009) Lurgan vs LEANDER
Date: 28//2/9
Venue: Lurgan
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Leander lose to Lurgan by 64 points. Some good swims on both sides and positives have been gained. With no shows from certain swimmers it was going to be a difficult meet. The swimmers who did race did so with great heart and should be proud.
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(23/3/2009) LEANDER vs Templemore