SAS News Archive
A Tribute to Alex
South
Aberdeenshire Swimming has been deeply saddened by the death of Alex Michalski,
a former SAS Top Squad swimmer, who was tragically killed in a car accident on
Thursday 7th December. Alex's home club, Banchory Beavers has made a tribute to
his great achievements including being Scottish Junior Champion on 3 occasions,
and his inspiration to other swimmers. South Aberdeenshire Swimming and
Commonwealth Games Coach Gary Paterson commented: "Working with anyone who is
prepared to make a full commitment in the pursuit of a dream is immensely
rewarding and my time coaching Alex is certainly one I reflect on as being one
of the most dynamic periods. Alex pursued his dreams of success with such
vigour and passion that his enthusiasm was contagious. The enthusiasm that he
brought continues to flourish within the squad and will continue to inspire all
those who had the privilege of pursuing their dreams with him.”
To read the full tribute please follow the link to the Beavers website by clicking on the picture.
41st Geneva International
Championships, Switzerland
While the rest of the world compete in their first competitions of 2008 in the Toyota Grand Prix in California and various stages of the French Cup in France, South Aberdeenshire's elite swimmers descended on Switzerland for the 41st Geneva International Championships. And what a meet it was. Junior swimmer James Yule took 2 titles in the 14+U age category, the Boys 400m Freestyle in a new meet record time of 4.27.98 and the Boys 100m Breaststroke in 1.12.47. James also added a silver to his collection in the Boys 200m Individual Medley. Kerry Buchan reached to first place in the Women's 100m Breaststroke in 1.11.03, following silver medals in the 50m & 200m disciplines. Chris Chasser scooped Bronze in the Men's 200m Individual Medley in 2.09.32. Another 9 finalist positions were achieved by Yule, Buchan, Chasser, Callum Easton and Sam George.
Scottish Short Course Championships,
Glasgow
The best of Scottish talent came to Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow for the 2008 Short Course Championships. South Aberdeenshire swimmers put in stellar performances to bring home 7 medals of various colours. Breaststroke specialist Kerry Buchan took home 3 silver medals in all 3 Breaststroke disciplines, behind British Champion & World Silver Medalist Kirsty Balfour. However Kerry had the fighting spirit in the Womens 100m Individual Medley when she pushed fellow Scottish Senior team-mate Hannah Miley to the wire to take the Gold by 0.04! 13-year-old Sara Hamilton showed her position in the senior rankings when she raced to Silver in the Women's Open 50m Freestyle in 26.70! Chris Chasser pushed all the way in the Mens 100m Butterfly to clinch Bronze in 55.74. SAS swimmers achieved a further 11 finalists and 26 B-finalists.
City of Sheffield Snow Frills Meet
Congratulations to the team who travelled to Ponds Forge, Sheffield for the annual City of Sheffield Winter Meet. An excellent weekend produced a stunning 14 Gold, 7 Silver & 9 Bronze Medals! 8 of which (4 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze) were won by 13 year old James Yule who medalled in every event he swam!
Dundee City Aquatics 100/200 Meet
Many congratulations to the team who travelled to Dundee Olympia and retained their Top Team Title they won in 2006!! With a total of 18 Gold, 15 Silver, 11 Bronze and 28 Finalists/Top 6 Finishes the team had an outstanding performance against tough competition from across the country!
North District Sprint Championships
Congratulations to SAS swimmers Chris Chasser, Jenny Sangster & Sara Hamilton for between them breaking 5 North District Records and 8 more North District Sprint Championship Records with the help of Kerry Buchan. Chris also smashed the Mens 100m Individual Medley, one of the oldest ones on record, earning himself £50!
All South Aberdeenshire Medalists and Finalists can be found here. Full Meet Results are available on the North District Website.
2007 World Deaf Championships - Taipei, Taiwan
A British swim team collected five medals at the recent World Deaf Swimming Championships in Taiwan despite a typhoon hitting the outdoor pool midway through the competition! 10 British swimmers from UK Deaf Sport joined more than 120 athletes from over 24 countries to compete in a five-day four-yearly competition. After talent identification by a Development Manager for UK Deaf Sport, 16 year old SAS Swimmer Euan Cheyne was invited to attend a qualifying meet where he showed his talent on the Scottish stage by picking up 6 medals, showing real contention and futhermore being selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Taipei, Taiwan. Currently based at Westhill under the guidance of Jim Cameron, it took a club fundraising effort for Euan to travel with the British team to Taiwan. Euan had a tremendous week and raced in the finals of the Mens 4x100m & 4x200m Freestyle Relays placing 6th & 5th respectively. He also competed in the A Final of the Mens 400m Individual Medley finishing 7th in 5.22.01 and in the B finals of the 50m Butterfly in 28.81, the 200m Freestyle in 2.10.41 and the 100m Freestyle in 57.96 a new Scottish Deaf Record bettered from the Qualification meet in Warwick earlier in the year. Many congratulations go to Euan for his outstanding effort and debut on the GB team.
Full meet results are available at http://w2007.ncpes.edu.tw/index.aspx and a wrap-up of the British Results are available on the British Swimming Website.
Buchan & Chasser compete Stateside!
Starting Tuesday are the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. where SAS swimmers Kerry Buchan & Chris Chasser compete as part of the GB Team. Joined in Indianpolis today by Head Coach Gary Paterson, they have been in Huntington Beach, California on a month long training camp with other Scottish Institute of Sport Athletes. Full Results will be available at www.omegatiming.com and Webcasts at www.usaswimming.org.
Records tumble on final day of ASAs!
On the final day of the ASA National Age
Group Championships, South Aberdeenshire swimmer Sam George smashed his own
13years Scottish Age Group 200m Breaststroke Record by 4 seconds, winning the
event in a time of 2.30.77. James Yule, featuring in his 2nd National final
finished in 6th in 2.40.59. In an earlier event, Sara Hamilton broke a
tough barrier and a Scottish Age Group record. In the 12years 100m Freestyle
final, Sara battled it out in an incredibly close race, winning a bronze medal
in 59.76! With a personal best of 1.01.58 just two days before, Sara improved
her time through her relay lead-off, her heat swim and then again breaking the
minute barrier in a nail-bitting final. With the age group category coming to a
close, and with 8 swimmers having competed over the 4 days, it has been a very
successful meet. Speaking on the way home from the meet, Jim Cameron said of the
team "It has been a fantastic meet. It has been a great experience for everyone,
the swimmers have all been very focused and the team support has been
outstanding. With every race and every swimmer improving on their ranking, we
couldn't have asked for more. They have all performed far better than expected."
South Aberdeenshire Head Coach Gary Paterson said, "Having two relay
teams qualify for the British Age Group Championships as well as multiple
individual swims is the best demonstration of the progress that South
Aberdeenshire continues to make. Now that the age group category of the meet
has come to an end we must be extremely proud of the achievements of our young
athletes. Producing some excellent performances on the biggest stage of their
young career is testimony of the commitment to performance by both swimmers and
coaches alike. With several athletes including Bronze medallist Sara Hamilton
competing in her first British Age Group competition to Sam George who
successfully defended his 100m/200m Breaststroke titles the team have performed
above themselves. This should be the demonstration to everyone that you simply
have to 'Dare To Dream'.
My thanks and congratulation go to the coaches Catriona Hendry & Jim Cameron for
so ably looking after the swimmers during the meet and to everyone within the
clubs that continue to make a contribution. These results belong to you all.
Congratulations."
Full Meet Results are still available at
www.britishswimming.org, along with
results from the ASA Swim 21 Youth Championships and National Championships
where South Aberdeenshire swimmer Michael Caldwell is competing in various
events.
Golden Start for Sam at ASA Age Groups
Sam George burst into action in the Boys 13yrs 100m Breaststroke event on Day 1 of the ASA National Age Group Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. Having won the 12year old title last year the pressure was on to emulate his performance in the 13 year old age group, and that he did qualifying fastest through the heats in 1.11.14, just hundredths outside his personal best time. Once in the final, Sam showed no signs slowing as he took the lead at the turn and finished in 1st place in a new lifetime best and Scottish 13yrs Age Group Record time of 1.10.86. Also reaching the finals in the Boys 13yrs 100m Breaststroke was team-mate James Yule who put in a credible performance and new lifetime best, going 1.13.92 in the heats and then faster with 1.13.84 to finish 5th in the final. Other SAS swimmers competing on Day 1 were Jenny Sangster & Sara Hamilton. Returning to Ponds Forge for her second year, Jenny took to the pool in Girls 13yrs 200m Freestyle event where she placed 41st in 2.18.05. Also racing in the Girls 200m Freestyle was Sara Hamilton making her nationals debut in the 12yrs category. With an incredibly fast start to take the lead of her heat at the 50m, Sara finished in equal 19th position in a new lifetime best of 2.15.82. The swimmers take to the pool again tomorrow in individual events, and will also be joined by Pamela Beck, Jess Mason, Andrew Thomson & Chris Williams who will all contest in the 4x100m Medley Relay events with Sam, James, Jenny & Sara. Log onto www.britishswimming.org for Live Results. The ASA National Age Group Championships take place from 23-26 July 2007 at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield.
Impressive Results at tough US Competition
Competing on an international stage at the Janet Evans Invitational in California were SAS stars Kerry Buchan & Chris Chasser, along with several other Scottish Squad team-mates including locals Robbie Renwick & Ranald Falconer. Kerry made a splash taking silver in the Women's 200m Breaststroke Championship Final in 2.30.75 behind American breakout star Rebecca Soni who took gold in 2.25.66. Also featuring in the final was World & Olympic Champion Natalie Coughlin who whilst known for her backstroke prowess finished a credible 5th place in the breaststroke event. Buchan also qualified to the Championship final of the 100m Breaststroke where against previous World-Record Holder Jessica Hardy she placed sixth in 1.11.09. There was also finals action for Chasser who in a final featuring two other Scottish team-mates Todd Cooper & Stuart Houston, took 7th in 2.03.65. Cooper took Gold in 2.00.04, with Houston finishing in 6th in 2.03.50. However undoubtedly the Scottish star of the meet was local COAST swimmer Robbie Renwick who fought off Olympic Gold Medalist & World-Record Holder Klete Keller to win the Mens 200m Freestyle event in 1.48.60, take silver in the Mens 400m Freestyle in a tight finish behind Olympian Larsen Jensen and bronze in the 1500m Freestyle final. The team stay in California till the end of the month where they will be competing at the US Nationals in Indianapolis from 31st July-4th August. Check out full results at USASwimming.
Scottish Short Course Championships
Congratulations to the 11 South Aberdeenshire swimmers who competed at the recent Scottish National Short Course Championships at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre, Glasgow. 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze Medals were won between Kerry Buchan & Chris Chasser, one of which for Kerry was in a new Scottish Senior Record (200m IM, 2:15.02). Kerry also completed a clean sweep of first places in the Breaststroke events, successfully beating tough rival, British team-mate Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh). Congratulations must also go to Sara Hamilton who clocked another Scottish 12years Record swimming in the Open 50m Freestyle 'B' Final (27.97).
BRONZE MEDAL AT US OPEN!
Friday at the US Open in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, as part of the Scottish team,
Kerry Buchan won a bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke. She qualified in the
outside lane into the finals and swam a strong race to finish on the podium.
Kerry also reached the final in the Womens 200m Breaststroke.
Speaking from the meet, Head Coach Gary Paterson said "Anyone can win the
medals, but only if you make the final."
Team-mate Chris Chasser also competed out in the US, in 4 events, and making finals in the Mens 4x100m & 4x200m Freestyle relays.
The Scottish team of 14 swimmers finished the meet with 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze, 15 'A' Finalists, 6 'B' Finalists, 9 'C' Finalists.
Full meet results available at www.usaswimming.org
REN 96 RESULTS
Congratulations to all of the swimmers who competed at the recent Ren'96 Meet in Glasgow, 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 8 Bronze medals, an excellent team result!
SAS JUNIOR MEET 2007
Meet Information - 6th & 7th January 2007
Please find the meet entry file now able to download from the North District Website at www.sasanorth.org.uk
CLOSING DATE for entries : SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2006
SUMMER SUCCESS FOR SOUTH ABERDEENSHIRE
Chris Chasser kick started the summer with a Bronze medal for the British Team in the Mens 4 x 100m Medley Relay at the European Junior Championships in Palma de Mallorca. He swam the butterfly leg posting a time of 55.16 to take the bronze along with British team-mates Marco Loughran, Max Partridge & City of Aberdeen swimmer Robbie Renwick. He also placed 22nd in the Mens 100m Butterfly with a time of 56.34, just off his lifetime best. The British squad finished the 4-day meet at the start of July with a 3rd position on the medal table with a total of 15 medals, 6 Gold, 7 Silver & 2 Bronze!
Next to take to the pool were South Aberdeenshire Transitional Squad swimmers Sam George & Jenny Sangster. They began their quest for success at the British National Age Group Championships in Sheffield from 27-30 July. Sam, an already established breaststroker amongst the Scottish ranks took the championships by storm winning both the Boys 12 years 100m & 200m Breaststroke events. He smashed the current Scottish records, taking the 200m event in 2:43.08, some 5 seconds ahead of the silver medal winner, and the 100m event in 1:15.34. Jenny showed her versatility by competing in 8 events over the 4 days, in the 100m, 200m, 400m & 800m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Breaststroke and the 200m & 400m Individual Medley. Although not winning any medals, the fact that she is able to compete against the best in Britain over so many events is encouraging for the future of South Aberdeenshire Swimming.
Bringing the summer to a close and in excellent style was Kerry Buchan, swimming in Budapest at the European Senior Championships. Kerry swam a lifetime best in the Womens 200m Breaststroke semi-finals to qualify for the final in 7th place. Then, in an exciting and somewhat gutsy performance in the final she stormed through to take a well earned 4th place in 2:29.19, just .29 away from the Bronze medal! Fellow British team-mate Kirsty Balfour took the Gold in 2:25.66 showing the quality and excellence of both Scottish & British Swimming in the Breaststroke events. Kerry also swam in the Womens 100m Breaststroke where she placed 11th, however due to the 2 swimmers per nation rule did not progress through to the semi-finals even though her time was fast enough to do so. This again highlighting the progress being made in British Swimming as three swimmers had the potential to swim in semi-finals at a fierce European Championships. The British team finished the meet crowned European Champions with a total of 13 medals (2 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze), and although behind Italy & France (both with a 15 medal total) they exceeded the French team on points, 698 to 641, a great result for the British squad!
Buchan & Chasser Debut Selections for Team GB
South Aberdeenshire Swimming continue to progress from strength to strength this season and are delighted that two members of their Top Squad coached by Scottish Commonwealth Games Coach, Gary Paterson have been selected for the British Teams heading to the European Senior & Junior Championships.
Congratulations to Kerry Buchan on her debut selection for the British Senior Team as she prepares for the European Championships (50m) in Budapest, Hungary from 26th July – 6th August. Following her first International competition at the Commonwealth Games, Kerry impressed selectors for the European’s with some great results at the British Championships where she scooped 2 silver and 1 bronze medals behind British record holder and Commonwealth Team mate Kirsty Balfour. Kerry will head to Budapest as part of a 46-strong British team, of which an unprecedented 13 are from Scotland.
Team-mate Chris Chasser also has reason to celebrate after being selected for the British Junior Team that will compete at the European Junior Championships (50m) in Palma de Mallorca, Spain between 6th & 9th July. Chris makes up a small contingent of 4 Scottish swimmers heading to Spain as part of 32-strong British Team.
South Aberdeenshire Swimming Celebrates!
March 2006 has been the most successful month in the history of South Aberdeenshire Swimming. Following the outstanding performances achieved by the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, and with SAS having their first ever swimmer at a Commonwealth Games in Kerry Buchan, South Aberdeenshire's younger swimmers did their best to emulate this success by breaking a massive total of 14 records at the second SAS Junior League match! Huge congratulations must be passed on to the following swimmers; James Flaherty, James Yule, Jessica Christie, Sam George, Emily Jones, Hannah Thomson, Sara Hamilton, Christopher Williams & Andrew Bryce.
On Friday 24 March at Woodend Barn in Banchory, where over 200 sportsmen and women were gathered to acknowledge our local sporting heroes, South Aberdeenshire swimmer Kerry Buchan was awarded with the 2005 Aberdeenshire Sports Council Personality of the Year Award. Unfortunately as Kerry was still in Melbourne at the Commonwealth Games, she was unable to personally receive the award. Everyone at South Aberdeenshire Swimming would like to congratulate Kerry on her huge successes in 2005 where she finished the year with a 31st place world ranking for the 100m Breaststroke event. Kerry also won the 200m Breaststroke event at the British Championships in August, which saw her qualify for the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Once out in Australia, Kerry continued to impress by reaching the finals of both the 100m & 200m Breaststroke and the semi-final of the 50m Breaststroke. At only 18, and one of the youngest members of the Scottish team, we are very proud of Kerry's achievements so far and wish her even more success in the future.
Commonwealth
Selection for Buchan & Miley!
On
November 3rd, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland announced that Kerry
Buchan and Hannah Miley had been named as part of the Aquatics Team of 21
swimmers for the 2006 Games in Melbourne!
Both girls were selected after achieving consideration times over the summer, Kerry in the 100m & 200m Breaststroke, and Hannah in the 400m Individual Medley.
Full Story from Scottish Swimming
SAS Relay
Team Selection/Trials
The SAS Relay Team Trials for the 2006 Scottish Nationals will take place at Stonehaven on Saturday 21st January (Warm-up 6pm). Below is the qualification procedure for all swimmers, times for 15/16 must be with Anne Hendry (bhendry@btinternet.com) by 12 January.
Relay Team Selection Procedure
SAS Junior League Match 2 - Sat.27 August
Congratulations to the following swimmers who broke SAS League Records!
| Joshua Muchie | 10 years | 50m Breaststroke | 00:44.75 |
| Andrew Bryce | 10 years | 50m Freestyle | 00:32.19 |
| Andrew Bryce |
10 years |
100m Individual Medley |
01:26.01 |
| Jenny Sangster | 11 years | 50m Breaststroke | 00:40.84 |
| Jenny Sangster | 11 years | 50m Freestyle | 00:31.50 |
| Jenny Sangster | 11 years | 200m Individual Medley | 02:47.12 |
SAS Junior League Match 4 - Sat.18 June
Congratulations to the following swimmers who broke SAS League Records!
| Rachel Masson | 8/9 years | 50m Freestyle | 00:37.74 |
| Callum Roberts | 8/9 years | 50m Freestyle | 00:38.06 |
| Lorna Stewart |
8/9 years |
100m Individual Medley |
01:34.02 |
| Sara Hamilton | 10 years | 100m Individual Medley | 01:24.94 |
| Sara Hamilton | 10 years | 50m Breaststroke | 00:43.70 |
| Sara Hamilton | 10 years | 50m Freestyle | 00:32.04 |
| Joshua Murchie | 10 years | 50m Breaststroke | 00:45.10 |
| Sam George | 11 years | 50m Breaststroke | 00:39.66 |
| Jenny Sangster | 11 years | 200m Individual Medley | 02:52.32 |
SAS Junior League Match 3 - Sat.30 April
Congratulations to the following swimmers who broke SAS League Records!
| Sara Hamilton |
10 years |
50m Butterfly |
00:41.68 |
| Sara Hamilton | 10 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:38.90 |
| Lisa Michalski | 10 years | 200m Freestyle | 02:47.18 |
| Eden Turin | 10 years | 200m Freestyle | 02:48.50 |
| Jenny Sangster | 11 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:37.81 |
| Emma Easton | 12 years | 50m Butterfly | 00:34.28 |
| Emma Easton | 12 years | 400m Freestyle | 05:17.56 |
Edinburgh International, 16-17 April 2005
Congratulations to all South Aberdeenshire swimmers who attended the event. On behalf of all the swimmers, we would like to thank Gary Paterson, Angela Metelski, Keith Roberts & Izzy Davidson for all their help throughout the competition, without the wonders of Angela's mealtime set-up, many of us wouldn't have done so well! Thank you!
ASDA British Swimming World Championship Trials, 16-20 March
Congratulations go to South Aberdeenshire swimmers Gemma Sutherland, Chris Chasser and Stephanie Rovig who all competed at the recent GB World Championship Trials in Manchester.
Gemma reached the finals of all three of the Backstroke events where she came 4th in the 50m in a new best time of 30.69, 6th in the 100m event in 1.05.52 and 8th in the televised 200m Backstroke in a time of 2.19.67. Gemma also competed in the 200m Individual Medley where she placed 17th.
Chris raced well in the 100m & 200m Butterfly events reaching both semi-finals. In the 100m event he was 15th in a new PB time of 57.12 and in the 200m semi he equaled his best time coming 14th in 2.06.33.
Stephanie was competing at her first British competition where she swam well in the 100m Freestyle finishing in a time of 1.01.44.
SAS Junior League Match 1 - Sat. 19 Feb 2005
Congratulations to the following swimmers who broke SAS League Records!
| Andrew Bryce | 8-9 years | 100m Freestyle | 01:20.69 |
| Imogen Jones | 8-9 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:44.16 |
| Rachel Masson | 8-9 years | 100m Freestyle | 01:27.10 |
| Duncan Maclellan | 10 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:40.69 |
| Lisa Michalski | 10 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:41.38 |
| Lisa Michalski | 10 years | 200m Freestyle | 02:48.81 |
| Jessica Mason | 10 years | 50m Butterfly | 00:42.24 |
| Andrew Pilkington | 11 years | 50m Backstroke | 00:37.77 |
| Craig Masson | 11 years | 200m Freestyle | 02:36.00 |
REN 96 Open Meet - Congratulations to all the Transitional Squad swimmers who took part, a great team effort led to winning the Best Supported Team Award! Well done!
Click for Full Results.
