Thurso swimmers hit medal trail at Forres meet
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A SQUAD of 22 Thurso Amateur Swimming Club swimmers took part in the annual Forres two-day meet. A regular on the club calendar, organisers Forres Bluefins for the first time recorded meet records.
Thurso was represented in the 8-10 years age group by Euan Macgregor, Aidan Urquhart, Mark McCoustra, Alex Mackay and Alix Mackay, all 10; Lucy McDonald and Ailsa Nicoll, both nine; and eight-year-old Milayna Mackay (8).
They all recorded personal bests in the 50m freestyle, with Mark (34.10) and Alix (34.97) winning gold and bronze, respectively. Alix added a silver to her collection in the 50m backstroke with another personal best swim. Aidan and Euan finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In session three, Thurso’s youngest age group were on form again in the 50m breaststroke. Mark equalled his previous best (47.06) to win his second gold medal, while Alix (45.22) produced another silver medal winning swim, finishing comfortably in second place.
Mark continued his gold medal-winning streak in the 100m individual medley with a time of 1:30.04, while Euan and Aidan recorded PBs to finish fifth and sixth. PBs were also recorded by Alix and Alex in the same event, coming fourth and sixth respectively.
The final individual event was the 50m butterfly. Alix and Alex both had great swims, with this time Alex making it to the podium, winning bronze in 39.91. Mark (41.03) ensured he returned home with four age group records with a fourth gold medal after a winning swim in the boys’ event.
The 11-year-olds were represented by Euan Macdonald and Eve Nicoll. Euan had a fantastic weekend and was Thurso’s most successful swimmer, with five individual golds, each at the 100m distance, so he now holds five meet records. The swims Euan improved most in were the 100m individual medley and the 100m breast, where he improved by 13 seconds. His times were back 1:23.35; breast 1:39.13; IM 1:24.19; fly 1:25.44; and free 1:15.18.
Eve also swam well to achieve three PBs in the 100m back, 100m fly and 100m individual medley. Eve’s 100m back swim saw her win bronze.
The 12-year-old age group was represented by TASC female swimmers; Esmerelda Jardine, Erin McDonald, Gabrielle Macgregor and Katie Mackay. Esmerelda had five swims and achieved four PBs, her most impressive swim being an 11 second PB in the 100m back. Erin also scored several PBs, with her 100m breaststroke and 100m fly deserving special mention. Gabby’s 100m free swim was her top individual swim where she recorded a three second PB. Katie continued her recent good form coming home with three gold and one silver medal for the 100m fly (1:13.63); 100m free (1:05.69); 100m IM (1:15.12); and 100m back (1:18.57). She was Thurso’s top female swimmer of the weekend and also now holds three meet records.
Thurso’s 13-year-old-swimmers were Jordan Bain, Craig Mackay and Lucy Macdonald. Unfortunately due to injury Craig had to withdraw from the competition. Jordan achieved PBs in the 100m breast and 100m IM (1:24.63) and came fourth in the 100m fly and the 100m back. Lucy had PBs in four of her five individual events – her biggest, of nine seconds, came in the 100m fly.
Craig Yuille and Eilish Noble represented the 14-year-old age group. Craig recorded PBs in the 100m IM and the 100m back, finishing fifth in both, while Eilish’s PBs came in the 100m IM and the 100m fly.
The TASC swimmers in the 15-and-over age group were Nicole Cowie (15), Jamie Mackinnon (15) and Rorie Stewart (16). They each achieved improvements in their events with Nicole’s PB coming in the 100m IM; Jamie improving in the 100m back and 100m IM; and Rorie’s PBs in the 100m free and 100m IM.
The relay events produced great excitement and anticipation and strong performances.
The 8-12 year old boys relay team of Aidan Urquhart, Euan Macgregor, Mark McCoustra and Euan Macdonald won silver in the medley relay and bronze in the freestyle relay.
The 8-12 year old girls team of Gabby Macgregor, Katie Mackay, Erin Mcdonald and Eve Nicoll won gold in the medley relay, seven seconds ahead of Midlothian and Inverness and gold in the freestyle relay in a closer finish where only four seconds separated the same three teams.
The 13 and over boys relay team consisting of Jordan, Craig, Jamie and Rorie competed well against strong teams from Elgin, Midlothian, Delting (Shetland) and Forres to finish in bronze medal position in the medley relay and silver position in the freestyle relay events.
The 13 and over girls team of Esmerelda, Eilish, Lucy and Nicole swam well in what was the most heavily subscribed relay event to finish seventh.
Thurso coach Debbie Macdonald was delighted with Thurso’s haul of 14 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals; as well as the clutch of PBs.
In the team competition, Thurso were unable to retain the club trophy that they won last year, finishing third with 57 points behind Midlothian, on 97, and Elgin, on 71.5.
