Banbridge Academy pupils competed in the pinnacle of the short course swim season is the Ulster Short Course Championships from 4th to 6th November 2022.  The pupils taking part had already overcome high qualifying times to gain a place in the competition. It was a great achievement to qualify and to see so many Banbridge Academy pupils represent their individual clubs. The competition ran over three days and was held in the Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in Belfast, for the second year in a row.   Banbridge Academy pupils represented Lurgan ASC, Lisburn Swimming Club and Banbridge ASC.

From the school representing Banbridge ASC was:

From the school representing Lurgan ASC was:

From the school representing Lisburn Swimming Club was:

Overall, from these Banbridge Academy swimmers there were 30 personal best times and 11 finalists. The standard of swimming was excellent, with tight races and some swimmers just missing out on finals by the slimmest of margins.  Many of these swimmers have now achieved qualifying times for the Irish Short Course Championship to be held in Dublin in December, again there will be strong representation from Banbridge Academy pupils and hopefully more success to come.

Relay Medals:

Many of the swimmers were able to represent their clubs in relay teams, with the following winning medals.

Aimee Dawson 2nd with her Lisburn team in the women’s 200m Medley Relay

Ciara Daly & Alana Burns-Atkin along with two teammates from Banbridge ASC, came 3rd in the women’s 200m Medley Relay

Alana Burns-Atkin & Anna McKernan along with two teammates from Banbridge ASC, came 3rd in the women’s 200m Freestyle Relay

Tara Kennedy and three teammates from Banbridge ASC were Junior champions in the 200m Mixed Medley Relay

Most Notable individual performances were:

Alana Burns-Atkin became Ulster Champion in the 200 Butterfly. She finished 2nd overall in the 100 Butterfly.

Aimee Dawson came 3rd overall in the 1500 Free, a strong performance in a gruelling event.