The University of Galway swim team delivered an impressive performance at the Longford Gala on November 3rd, 2024, showcasing the college team's competitive spirit across various events. The swimmers swam personal bests and claimed multiple podium finishes, making the event memorable for the team.
The team had a great day of racing, securing key finishes in individual and relay events, with some athletes even hitting qualifying times for upcoming national competitions.
James had a fantastic swim, securing a 3rd-place finish in the 50m Breaststroke with a time of 40.94. He also placed 5th in the 50m Freestyle, clocking a time of 32.07, showing an unbelievable performance improvement.
Daehan was one of the star performers of the day, clinching 1st place in the 100m Freestyle with an impressive time of 55.31. He also placed 1st in the 50m Freestyle, with a time of 25.43, and triumphed in the 200m Individual Medley, finishing with a dominant performance and a time of 2:28.97.
Daniel showed great versatility across events, with notable some performances. He finished 5th in the 50m Butterfly, clocking 29.71, 4th in the 50m Freestyle with a time of 27.01, and 3rd in the 200m Individual Medley in 2:39.39. Daniel also put in a competitive showing in the 100m Butterfly, securing 4th place with a flying time of 1:08:43.
Leah was another standout for the team, winning two events: she took 1st in the 50m Butterfly with an impressive time of 31.24 and also triumphed in the 100m Butterfly with a time of 1:10:63. However, she wasn't done yet! She finished 4th in the 50m Freestyle, setting a personal best with a time of 29.68.
Eilis also added to the team's strong performances, finishing 5th in the 200m Freestyle with a time of 2:45.33.
The University of Galway Swim Team also exhibited their strength in the relay events, with the Open 200m Freestyle Relay finishing in 2nd place** with a time of 1:49.47. The James, Daehan, Daniel, and Paddy team displayed exceptional teamwork, narrowly missing out on the top spot.
The Open Medley Relay team also earned a 2nd-place finish, showcasing their relay competitive edge and determination to take the varsity title in semester 2. This result helped solidify the team's reputation as a well-rounded and formidable force in the swimming community.
The Longford Gala was a resounding success for the University of Galway swim team, as the swimmers combined skill, speed, and determination in their races. With solid finishes across individual events and relays, the team is beginning to build momentum heading into the season. Many swimmers are already targeting qualifying times for the National Swimming Championships later in the year.
We need to give a massive thanks to our head coach, Sebastian Locteau. Sebastian's unwavering support and tireless efforts are dedicated to the growth and expansion of the club. We would also like to thank the fantastic coaching team that has dedicated so much time to the club, from our learn-to-swim right up to the high-performance team.
With several of their top swimmers performing at an elite level, the University of Galway swim team is positioned for success in upcoming competitions and a great first Swim Ireland-affiliated year. With key athletes showing their potential on both the national and international stage, it is clear that the team is on track for even more extraordinary achievements.
We thank Longford Swim Club for their hospitality and for running such a fantastic event. We thank Swim Connacht and all of its outstanding and helpful team for helping us navigate this new chapter. Their help has allowed the college team to develop further and create the future of swimming in the West.
The team will continue to fine-tune their performances in the coming weeks, and all eyes will be on their next competitions as they strive to build on their success at the Longford Gala.