Another great day of swimming from Step Rock at the Novice League Gala on February 2nd 2020, held at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre, Glenrothes.
After some stunning efforts for their teams during the morning session, Step Rock are now sitting top of the Novice League in both the 9-and-under and 10-and over girls after round 1. In the 9-and-under boys, our B team is 3rd, one place above the A team in 4th.
In the Fife League in the afternoon, the older Step Rockers continued on great form. The 9-11 and 12-13 boys are currently top of the table; the 12-13 boys B-team are 3rd. For the girls, the 14-15 and 16&over are currently both sitting in 2nd place.
Individually, Step Rock had 4 swimmers making their competitive debuts: Isabella S in the Fife League, and Sebastian R, Amy D and Jessica S in the Novice League – well done to you all!
Out of 33 individual swims in the morning, 30 were either PBs or first swims – that’s amazing! Freya E and Eden H won their 25m backstroke events and Emily A the 25m breaststroke. 2nd place went to Murray D in the 25m free (a 14 sec PB!) and Emily A also came 2nd in the 50m backstroke, whilst Rob A and Amelia S both took third place in their breaststroke events. Oliver A gained a “flash” for swimming too fast in the 25m free in a 3 sec PB.
Several swimmers were making the step up from Novice to Fife League, and adapted really well with 32 out of 50 swims being PBs or first swims. Biggest PB (7.5 secs), and possibly biggest smile, of the afternoon came from Emmy W taking 3rd place in the 100 breaststroke, but more importantly the family bragging rights finishing fingertips ahead of sister Maddy, who herself took almost 5 secs off her previous best. Excellent improvements in backstroke from Ellie W and Fraser S saw them both achieve new PBs, taking 2nd and 1st places respectively in their age groups. We believe that Ellie’s time is her 4th DRP time and should see her selected for the Scottish Bronze squad this summer – fingers crossed for her! Fraser’s time edges him closer to SNAGs in the 100 backstroke. Isla T added a SNAGs 100m fly time to go with one already in the 200 fly, a superbly paced swim to take 2nd place in the 14/15 girls event. Kaitlyn L raced to a 3.5sec PB in 100 free, whilst Freya H secured her second PB of the day in slicing almost 6 secs off her 200 backstroke mark.
Oscar G finished 1st in both 100 and 200 back; Jack A was 1st in the 100 breaststroke; Sam was a double winner – 1st in both the 100 fly and the 200 back; Finch G was 1st in the 100 free and Isla T was 1st in the 50m backstroke. Other podium positions were Orla S (3rd 100 back), Russell L (2nd 100 back, 3rd 50 back), Rowan G (3rd100 breaststroke and 200 back), Anna H (3rd 100 butterfly), Anna S (2nd 100 free and 50 back), Daniel W (3rd 100 free), Oliver T-R (2nd 50 back), Ellie W (3rd 200 back) and Fraser S (2nd 200 back).
The next round is on 8th March where Step Rock hopes to build on this great start to 2020!