Talented Buckie swimmers make a big splash at national finals
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BUCKIE swimmers made a splash when they headed to Glasgow recently for a national competition.
Five youngsters from Buckie Amateur Swimming Club (BASC) made the trip to Tollcross International Swimming Pool in Glasgow to take part in the Scottish National Age Group Championships (SNAGS).
Competing in the 18 age group for Buckie was Brandan Aitchison, while Kallum Aitchison and
Alex Thompson took part in the 16 age category. In the 14 age group BASC was represented by Madison Coull while in the 11-13 section Payton Forbes flew the flag for the club.
The youngsters were toe to toe against the cream of the crop from across Scotland and between them secured numerous final placings as well as a raft of personal best (PB) times.
Coach Judith Coull spoke of her pride in the quintet and their achievements.
She said: "I really am so proud at the determination and hard work they have put in to their swimming since returning back to the water after Covid.
"It’s amazing that our small club had five swimmers away to this competition and we’re making finals and winning medals against the biggest clubs in Scotland."
To qualify for the championships swimmers need to reach certain qualifying times achieved at other competitions in the months leading up to SNAGS.
Dedication is the name of the game for the plucky Buckie swimmers and their colleagues, who have training sessions six days a week at Buckie swimming pool – some of them before school in the morning – with Saturdays usually reserved for attending competitions.
The youngsters' results were:
Brandan – 50m breaststroke, made the final placing, eighth in Scotland; 100m breaststroke, made the final placing, 10th in Scotland; 200m breaststroke with a new long course PB.
Kallum – 50m breaststroke, made the final placing, fifth in Scotland; 100m breaststroke, reserve for the final with a new PB; 200m breaststroke, placing 16th in Scotland.
Alex – 200m backstroke, new long course PB, placing 25th.
Madison – 200m backstroke, made the final with new PB; 100m freestyle, made the final; 1500m freestyle, new PB, placing sixth; 100m backstroke, made the final, placing seventh with new PB;
400m individual medley, placing eighth; 400m freestyle, placing seventh; 50m freestyle, made the final with new PB; 200m butterfly, made final and came second winning a silver with new PB; 100m butterfly, made final and came second, silver with new PB; 50m backstroke, made final; 200m freestyle, made final; 50m butterfly, made final with new PB.
Payton – 100m freestyle; 50m breaststroke; 200m breaststroke, new long course PB; 50m freestyle; 50m backstroke, reserve for the final with a new PB placing 12th in Scotland; 100m breaststroke with new long course PB.
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