Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Lanark Swimming Club star takes 10 medals as youngsters compete at Scottish Age Group Championships

Swim sensation Evi Mackie claimed three Scottish titles and picked up 10 medals in total as part of a group of nine Lanark Amateur Swimming Club athletes representing South Lanarkshire at the Scottish National Age Group Championships (SNAGs).

South Lanarkshire finished seventh best team overall, with Lanark swimmers contributing to the points.

Mackie, 14, had an excellent meet, winning three Scottish titles in 200m individual medley, 400m IM and 1500m freestyle.

She also won silver medals in 200m back, 200m free, 400m free, 800m free, and bronze in 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke.

Evi also broke seven Lanark club records in the process.

Also competing out of Lanark ASC were breaststroke specialist Craig Shaw, 15, who reached three finals, finishing fourth in 100m, fifth in 200m and sixth in 50m.

Debutant Katie Towers, 15, reached five finals, and was fourth in 50m breast, sixth in 200m breast, seventh in 200m IM, and eighth in both 100m breast and 200m free.

Abbie Barnstaple, 16, set new personal best times in the 100m and 200m butterfly, missing the 200m final by one place.

In the 17/18 group, Benji Jones, Euan McLeod and Millie McArthur had excellent swims.

Benji qualified for the 40m breaststroke final, finishing 10th, and set a new personal best mark in 100m breaststroke.

Euan set PBs in 100m and 200m freestyle, as part of two SL relay teams that secured two top-ten finishes.

Millie narrowly missed out on the 50m freestyle final.

Emily Taylor, 11, and 13-year-old Orlaith Jeffrey made their debuts at national level, both setting personal best marks in 100m butterfly.

Coach Karen Kelly said: “Evi has the heart of a lion and embraced her two events a day schedule.

“She achieved her ambition to medal in every event, and showed versatility in winning the two individual medley events. A hard worker who always challenges herself in training, her success was well deserved.

“Craig regularly makes finals at national meets and this was no exception.

“Katie swam with a lot more belief in her abilities, and five final spots was fully merited.”

Karen added: “Technically, Abbie is one of Lanark’s best fly swimmers.

“Her 200m fly swim was excellent, and she is now looking at going under 1.10 for the 100m.

“Benji always pushes himself in training and I was so pleased for him when he made the final.

“Euan nurses a knee injury and is wholehearted in his approach to this racing.

“Millie is on the comeback trail after illness, and it was a testament to her strength of character that she competed in Aberdeen.

“I thought both Orlaith and Emily handled the step up very well and they can be proud of themselves.

“The senior swimmers were so helpful to the 11/13 year olds, and that means a lot in a small club like Lanark.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.