LEN European Junior Championships Day 1 Results – Irish Juniors get underway in Bucharest

 

The LEN European Junior Championships got underway this morning with five Irish swimmers in action on the opening day in Bucharest, Romania. The competition, which runs from 5th – 10th July, takes place in the Otopeni Aquatics Centre, the first major international competition of its kind held in the venue.

First in the pool for Team Ireland was Thomas Leggett, who swam the 200m Freestyle, the Larne clubman touched the wall in 1:55.20, setting a new personal best on his first appearance at a major international competition. New Ross’ Evan Bailey, who also competed in the 200m Freestyle, finished in a time of 1:52.58, setting a second personal best. Bailey was agonisingly close to a semi-final, just .5 of a second short of qualifying for the semi-final.

Grace Davison, who will represent Team NI at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, competed in the 400m Individual Medley, Davison clocked a time of 5:05.09. Grace will return to action tomorrow (Wednesday) in the 50m Freestyle. Grace was followed by, Liam Custer, who was making his international debut for Team Ireland, Custer, who swam in the fastest heat, touched the wall in 2:03.63 in the 200m Butterfly.

The final Irish swimmer in the pool this morning was Trojans Grace Hodgins, who got her competition off to a fantastic start, smashing her own personal best by just over ten seconds and going under the 17-minute mark for the first time in the 1500m Freestyle with a time of 16:59.72.

Speaking following the event, Hodgins said: “I was really happy with it, it was a tough race, but I felt really strong, so I was happy enough with it! Again, I am happy to set a new personal best and I’m looking forward to competing again on Friday in the 800m Freestyle”.

 

Team

Evan Bailey New Ross SC

Thomas Leggett Larne SC

Grace Davison Ards SC

Ellie McCartney Ards SC/National Centre Bangor

Liam Custer Sundays Well SC/Sarasota Sharks

Grace Hodgins Trojan SC

Molly Mayne Templeogue SC/Hamilton Aquatics (Dubai)

Press Releases will be issued daily.

 

Day 1 Heats Results:

200m Freestyle Evan Bailey: 1:52.58

200m Freestyle Thomas Leggett: 1:55.20

400m IM  Grace Davison: 5:05.09                                   

200m Butterfly Liam Custer: 2:03.62

1500m Freestyle Grace Hodgins: 16:59.72

 

Day 2 Heats Schedule:

200m IM Evan Bailey

50m Freestyle Grace Davison

1500m Freestyle  Liam Custer

Issued by Swim Ireland, whose Performance Programme is supported and funded by Sport Ireland & Sport Northern Ireland