Dunoon swimmers shine with medals and personal bests

DUNOON Amateur Swimming Club enjoyed another successful month in the pool, with swimmers delivering a host of personal bests and podium finishes across a series of competitions.
Following strong performances from the club’s younger members in the mini league, it was the turn of the older swimmers to impress, none more so than Sam Law at the Argyll and Bute Scottish Schools Championships trials in Campbeltown.
Sam secured a silver medal in the 100 metres freestyle in the 17/19 age group, achieving a coveted consideration time for the national finals in Aberdeen this June, the first such time recorded by a Dunoon swimmer for several years. He also added a bronze medal in the 100 metres breaststroke, setting a personal best in the process.
Kjera Thorup (13/14) struck gold in the 200 metres butterfly and recorded personal bests in both the 200 individual medley and 100 metres backstroke. Lisa Wilson (17) claimed bronze in the 100 metres backstroke alongside a PB in the 100 metres freestyle, while Leo Lukass (17) also took bronze in the 200 metres individual medley and posted a PB in the 100 metres free.
Amber Gordon (17) continued her strong form with personal bests in the 200 metres individual medley, 100 metres breaststroke and freestyle. Bianca Gisca (13) achieved PBs in the 100 metres butterfly and freestyle, while Izzy Sims (13) set a new best time in the 100 metres breaststroke.
Louise Nolan (16) recorded PBs in both the 100 metres breaststroke and freestyle, and Ailsa Brannan, Anna Weir and Gemma Black (all 13) also impressed with significant improvements in the 100 metres backstroke and freestyle events.
Earlier in the month, Dunoon swimmers were split across two meets held on the same day, the Renfrew Baths Junior Meet in Linwood and the Clyde Valley Beavers LDS Meet in Wishaw.
In Linwood, Sam Law, Andrew Macdonald, Amber Gordon and Kjera Thorup all returned to the podium, while Alisa Brannan, Bianca Gisca and Anna Weir excelled in their first major competition, improving on their schools trials times.
Meanwhile, in Wishaw, Lisa Wilson delivered a standout performance, winning gold in the 100 metres backstroke with an outstanding PB, finishing ahead of a field made up entirely of male competitors.
Attention now turns to the final Mini League match of the season, which takes place this Saturday at the home pool. Swimmers aged 12 and under are encouraged to take part, with strong competition expected from West Dunbartonshire and Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth. Warm-up begins at 12pm, with an exciting afternoon of racing anticipated.