Three Irish swimmers will compete in semi-finals this afternoon following a successful morning of swimming at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Utrecht, Holland.
Aer Lingus swimmer Benjamin Doyle was the first Irish swimmer in action this morning in the heats of the 100m Backstroke. Doyle’s time of 59.84, a new personal best, placed him 15th overall securing him a lane for the semi-final.
In the 100m Breaststroke heats, Niamh Kilgallen swam a time of 1:15.19 to put her through to the semi-final in 11th place, Kilgallen will need to swim close to her personal best time of 1:13.46 to secure a final spot.
Bangor Swimming Club’s Emma Reid has also made it through to the semi-final of the 100m Butterfly, touching in a time of 1:05.07. Reid’s time placed her 9th overall.
Rachel Bethel swam a new lifetime best in the 400m Freestyle heats, her time of 4:28.71 is over a second faster than her previous best of 4:29.82 which she swam earlier this year. Bethel placed 11th overall in the event.
Also in action this morning James Brown was 20th overall in the 200m Butterfly in 2:12.50 whilst Morgan Berryman swam a time of 16:16.57 in the 1500m Freestyle.
Ireland also had a mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay Team competing in the event for the first time, the team of James Brown, Emma Reid, Benjamin Doyle and Rachel Bethel combined for a finish time of 3:55.40.
A further press release will issue following this afternoon’s semi-finals.
Day 9 – Session 1 Results:
European Youth Olympic Festival
Benjamin Doyle 100m Backstroke 59.84 (15th)
Niamh Kilgallen 100m Breaststroke 1:15.19 (11th)
Emma Reid 100m Butterfly 1:05.07 (9th)
James Brown 200m Butterfly 2:12.50 (20th)
Rachel Bethel 400m Freestyle 4:28.71 (11th)
Morgan Berryman 1500m Freestyle 16:16.57
Ireland Mixed 4x100m Free Team Relay 3:55.40 (17th)
Semi-Finals/Finals Later Today:
Benjamin Doyle 100m Backstroke SF
Niamh Kilgallen 100m Breaststroke SF
Emma Reid 100m Butterfly SF
