Dolphins compete at national championships

Jul 23 2010 Dumfries Standard Friday

AFTER months of dedication and hard work, the efforts of 12 Dumfries Dolphins' top swimmers paid off as they achieved qualification times for entry into the Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships, held from June 22-27.

Age group events were swum in open age groups – for the girls, this was 15 years and under; and for the boys this was 16 years and under.

As expected with this broad age- banding and at this top level of competition, medals were hard to come by, but the Dolphins gave of their best and many achieved individual success in some measure, with some fantastic performances and personal bests along the way.

Lee Emmerson (15) had perhaps the most obvious success by qualifying for two of the Open events (200m backstroke and 100m fly) which saw him compete against swimmers up to age 24.

Lee performed well in his heat to make it through to the semi finals of the 100m fly - a superb effort.

Lee was also the only medallist from the team, earning silver in the nail-biting final of the boys 16 and under 200m fly.

Lee also competed in the 16 and under 400m IM, 400m freestyle, and the 200m IM.

Other Dolphins team members who competed in the age-group events during this six-day meet were: Meghan Branney (12)- 200m backstroke; Morven Clements (14) - 100m fly, 400m freestyle,200m freestyle, 200m IM, 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m fly (7th in final) ); Abbie Houston (14)- 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 100m backstroke; Terri Johnston (14) - 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke; Chris Lowther (15)- 200m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m IM, 200m fly; Shannon McClelland (15)- 200m breaststroke (7th in final), 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke (9th in final), 200m IM, 400m IM; Ellie Minto (13)- 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m IM, 200m fly, 400m IM; Alix Muir (12)- 200m breaststroke; Euan Murgatroyd (12)- 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle; Anthony Ryan (15)- 200m backstroke, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m IM, 100m backstroke; and Emilie Wardhaugh (13) - 200m fly.

A huge well done to all Dolphins at this meet, to David Pool for coaching and chaperoning the team , and to the army of family volunteers and supporters.

Next in the calendar of events are the British Gas ASA National Age Group Championships and National Youth Championships held in Sheffield late July/early August and the Welsh Age Group Championships to be held in Swansea in August.

Dolphins go the distancein Dumfries

The weekend of June 18-19 saw the Dumfries Dolphins host their Summer Distance Meet at DG1 – incorporating events of 200m and above.

A huge contingent of 40 Dolphins took part, ranging from older/more experienced competitors to young/novice swimmers; with the event attracting entries from ten other clubs including Carlisle, Oban and East Kilbride.

All 200m events were swum in age groups (10 years and under; 11-12 years. 13-14 years, 15-16 years, 17+ years) whilst events of 400m and over were swum as open age group events.

This was another successful event for all concerned and thanks is due to competitors and organisers for contributing to a well run meet with a friendly level of competition.

During the two-day meet the Dolphins scooped 20 gold medals, 12 silver medals and 13 bronze medals; with numerous personal bests achieved across the board and a huge tally of points earned towards the team's success.

With individual successes too numerous to report; two members of the boys' team deserve special mention: Dale Welstead (14), who amassed five gold medals and one bronze medal in his six events; and Lee Emmerson (15) who had a clean sweep of gold medals for his three events.

Top performer for the girls' team was Shannon McClelland (15) who had similar success with 100 per cent gold results in her four events.

Other Dolphins competing over the weekend were Beatrice Acklam (12), Ross Acklam (9), Scott Bennett (10), Ross Burns (9), Morven Clements (14), Molly Donald (9), Emily Hewitson (11), Abbie Houston (14), Keiran Jardine (16), Abbie Johnston (10), Samuel Johnstone ( 11), Niamh Johnstone (10), Charlotte Kirkham (12), Rachel Laverie (10), Chris Lowther (15), Fraser Lowther (12), Annabel MacGregor (10), David MacGregor (11), Donald Matheson (9), Connor McClelland (13), Owen McDonald (10), Cameron McGauchie (10), Bryony McHarrie (11), Gemma McLeod (8), Ellie Minto (13), Erin Morris (9), Alix Muir (12), Euan Murgatroyd (12), Kieran Parker (9), Ross Parker (11), Anthony Ryan (15), Elspeth Stevenson (12), Emilie Wardhaugh (13). Ross Watret (12), Erryn Watson (14), Anya Watt (8), Ashleigh Wells (11).

Thanks are also due to Magnox North who sponsored this meet.