This is an unedited press release courtesy of Scottish Swimming.Carnegie’s Tain Bruce and Craig McLean set the finals alight on the opening day of the Scottish Gas National Age Groups Championships being held at the new Aquatics Centre in Aberdeen.
Bruce, who turns 16 on Saturday, took an early lead in the 200m butterfly final, but was in the company of Katie Stark of Warrender who put up a strong fight for the first 100m. An excellent turn from Bruce gave her the edge and over the next 50m she started edging ahead from her rivals. With only 30m to go, it was all about the clock and Bruce touched home in 2:12.92 taking almost 1.5 seconds off the previous record (2:14.39).
Stark won silver in 2:18.31 while Charlotte Kiki Anderson got the first medal for Hong Kong Island Stingrays, winning the bronze medal in 2:19.61.
Following the race Bruce said,
“Wow! That result was most definitely a surprise. I set my personal best time of 2:16 at the Nationals back in April and was happy to pretty much match that this morning in the heats. I knew however I had something more in me so tonight was about going harder and faster, I gave it my all.
“I had given the Scottish record a look, but wasn't too sure whether I'd be able to drop over a second in just under 3 months. I competed Last weekend at the ELST meet where I set a new Scottish Junior record short course, so I came up here confident I was fit and in a good place.”
Not to be outdone, her Carnegie team-mate, Craig McLean, was also in record breaking form, shaving over a second off his own 100m backstroke Scottish Junior Record, posting a new best of 57.01.
Scott McLay (Perth City) was second in 1:01.55 and Angus Barr (South Lanarkshire) picked up the bronze in 1:02.39.
In his post-race interview, McLean said,
“I’ve been pushing it hard coming into Age Groups, with lots of high volume work. Carnegie is a great club and it makes all the difference having good support from the coaches.”
To listen to the full interview with Craig, click here
South Aberdeenshire’s Rachel Masson also broke the Scottish National Age Group Record (18 years) in the 100m freestyle touching home in a time of 56.65. Her Team Scotland team-mate, Lucy Hope (BEST), won silver in 57.29 and Raquel Matos (ELST) picked up the bronze medal in a new personal best time of 57.54.
Browse all the pictures from Aberdeen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishswimming/collections/72157645303880086/ and www.instagram.com/scottishswimming
Watch all sessions online at www.scottishswimming.com/swimtv
The event can also be followed on social media by using #SNAGS14 as hashtag, as well as on Scottish Swimming’s website, www.scottishswimming.com A new section, Swim Buzz, will provide users up-to-date information about the Championships and other Scottish Swimming events, and can be visited at www.swimbuzz.co.uk
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For any further information please contact Kirsten Phillips, Marketing Communications Manager Scottish Swimming on 07730 661788 or by email to [email protected]
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NOTES
The Scottish Gas National Age Group Swimming Championships are taking place at the Aquatics Centre in Aberdeen from 25-29 June 2014.
Venue: Aberdeen Sports Village, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 1SX
For more information about the venue and details of location please click on the dedicated website: http://www.aberdeensportsvillage.com/
To view the full schedule of events click here
The event is open to the public for a fee of £4 per morning and afternoon session, and £5 per final session, with the timings for each session listed below.
Event Timings:
- Morning Heats: From 08:45 (Wednesday – Sunday)
- Afternoon Heats:From 13:00(Wednesday – Saturday; 12:45 on Sunday)
- Evening Finals:From 17:30(Wednesday – Saturday; 17:00 on Sunday)
More information about the event and daily summary reports can be found at www.scottishswimming.com or www.facebook.com/scottishswimming