A large number of pupils from Banbridge Academy took part in the Ulster Schools’ Swimming Gala at Bangor Aurora Swimming Pool.  The pupils performed fantastically well and there were many notable successes:

Ronan Quinn (Yr 8) 50m butterfly and 100m Individual Medley

Tom King (Yr 8) 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke

These two boys qualified for the Irish Minor Schools Championships to be held in February 2017 in the NAC in Dublin

Ronan Quinn (Yr 8) was also a reserve finalist in the U14 100m butterfly event

Julia Knox (Yr 10) won 2 gold medals in 100m butterfly and 200m Individual Medley

Kate Allenby (Yr 12) won a gold medal in 100m butterfly and a silver medal in 200m Individual Medley

Banbridge Academy entered two Under 14 relay teams in both Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay for the girls and the boys.

The four girls in the Medley Relay won the silver medal:

Julia Knox (Yr 10), Ruby McNiff (Yr 10), Aidin Quinn (Yr 9), Rachel Blemmings (Yr 9)

The Freestyle Relay team, also won silver:

Julia Knox (Yr 10), Ruby McNiff (Yr 10), Aidin Quinn (Yr  9), Kathryn McGrath (Yr 10)

As a result, the girls were runners up in the 12-14 age group in the Ulster Schools’ Cup!

The boys’ relay teams didn’t medal but they put in fine performances against teams with all four boys aged 14.

Adam Wilson (Yr 9), Finlay Wright (Yr 9), Daniel Brown (Yr 9), Ronan Quinn (Yr 8)

Other swimmers who attended the swimming gala and achieved personal best times included:

Emma McElderry (Yr 12), Maria Lyons (Yr 12), Aaron Brown (Yr 12), Declan McGeown (Yr 11), Oriana Thompson (Yr 9), Peter McGrath (Yr 8)