Swimmers enjoy success

THERE was medal and trophy success for six Shetland swimmers at a national event in Glasgow at the weekend.

The Lerwick Amateur Swimming Club (LASC) team brought home eight gold, four silver and five bronze medals from the two-day Scottish National Masters Championships.

Amy Harper also won the overall trophy for the best backstroke performance, while Alba Collins was given the trophy for best breaststroke performance.

Harper picked up four gold medals on her return to competitive swimming after four years. Her four victories were the fastest for her age group in Britain this year.

Collins set a new Scottish record in the 50-metre breaststroke as she also picked up four golds.

Gary Tulloch won two silvers and two bronzes, while Kevin Gifford and Simon Collins got three medals each.

Hilary Seatter, meanwhile, competed in a swimming competition for the first time as she took her place in the 50-54 year old category.

She won a bronze as part of LASC’s mixed freestyle relay team and posted times fast enough in her individual 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke to qualify for the European masters championships later this year in Slovenia.

LASC chairman Iain Souter said: “These top-quality performances cap a weekend that saw LASC swimmers, from eight to 55 years old, competing in three different meets across the country.

“From our very youngest stars to our masters, whether they’re experienced winners like Amy and Alba or determined newcomers like Hilary, we’re proud of our commitment to Scottish Swimming’s mission of ‘Swimming for All’.”