Ulster Schools Swimming Championships

In February a team of 21 swimmers represented FSL at the Ulster Schools Swimming Championships in Bangor. This is the largest swimming event in the school’s calendar.

With 8 of our swimmers competing in the Junior Girls’ category (Years 8-10) the future is bright. One of the relay teams took 7th and 9th places in the free and medley events respectively. Individually, Amelia Strong raced to 4th in the 100 breaststroke before swimming superbly to take the Junior Girls’ silver medal in the 100 free. The Juniors Boys’ team of Matthew Bland, Ben Gracey, Ross Gray and Harry McGlashan took 4th place in hotly contested free and medley relays.  In the individual events, Ben placed 9th in the 100 free, Ross 5th in the 100 breaststroke and 7th in the 200 IM whilst Harry took 4th in the 200 IM and then swam brilliantly to a bronze medal in the 100 fly. In the Intermediate section, Holly Robson took 6th place in both the 100 and 400 free. Our Intermediate Girls‘ relay team of Erin Fitzpatrick, Zara Hopkins, Yzabelle Pacia and Holly Robson swam very well to place 4th in the medley relay. In the freestyle relay, the girls stormed to an early lead which they held right to a nail biting finish to take gold and the well deserved title of Ulster Schools’ Intermediate Girls’ Champions! Not to be outdone, our Senior Boys swimmers of Bryn Fitzpatrick, Lewis Fitzpatrik, Matthew Gracey and Alfie Shawe claimed impressive silver medals in both the medley and free relay events. Individually Matthew was 4th in the 200 IM and Alfie swam to a 4th in the 100 fly and a superb second and silver medal in the 100 free. Additionally as a result of their combined performances, FSL were awarded the Boal Cup for the top school at Ulster Senior Boys’ level! This was a great event for our swimmers after all their hard work and commitment in training. Special congratulations must go to Amelia Stone and Alfie Shawe whose performances secured them both places on the Ulster Interprovincial team to compete later in the year.  Well done also to Amelia, Alfie, Harry McGlashan and Ross Gray who were deservedly selected to the 2023/4 Ulster squads.