Coach praises 'tremendous' Thurso team after first round of North District Age Group Championships
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A team of 10 from Thurso Amateur Swimming Club competed in round one of the North District Age Group Championships in Aberdeen.
The team, swimming in their age group as at December 31 this year, comprised Keira Bain (16/17), Tom Armitage (16/17), Megan Mackay (16/17), Emily MacDougall (14/15), Kirsten Coghill (14/15), Jed Armitage (14/15), Craig Campbell (14/15), Aiden Williamson (14/15), Edward Mills (14/15) and Kyla Sinclair (11-13).
Emily achieved a gold medal in 200m backstroke.
Coach Shirley Bain said: "Moving up from club meets to district meets is a significant achievement for all the swimmers and gives them experience competing in a 50m pool, some for the first time, and against the best in the North District area.
"Over the course of the weekend the swimmers collectively achieved 45 long course personal best times, two long course club records [Tom in 16/17 boys], several qualifying and consideration times for the Scottish National Age Group Championships [Tom, Jed, Craig, Edward and Emily], three finals swims [Tom, 50 and 100m back, Keira in 100m fly] and a gold medal for Emily.
"The whole Thurso team was cheering her on during this exciting race. Despite being at the younger end of her age group, and being seeded in fourth place, Emily was able to focus on her own race and powered home to finish 0.01 seconds ahead of second-placed swimmer, Madison Coull from Buckie.
"Once the realisation of her achievement sank in, Emily enjoyed reflecting on her swim and looks forward to competing in this, one of her strongest events, at national level in April.
"Well done to all the Thurso club swimmers on their tremendous achievement.
"Coming through the pandemic and keeping going in such an intense sport is fantastic and we as a club are delighted for them all."
Round one of the age group championships took place at Aberdeen Sport Village from February 3-5.
Round two is scheduled for March 3-5, again in Aberdeen. The same Thurso team – minus Kyla Sinclair, who has recently moved to join Banchory Beavers, plus Grace Campbell (14/15) and Esme Waller (11-13) – will attend and will be hoping to emulate their first-round successes.
