Ford got Scottish Schools swimming medals

Mark (12), a first year pupil at Glasgow’s St Aloysius’ College, was second in the 13/14 years 100m and 200m butterfly at the Brodies 2016 Scottish Schools Championships.

His 100m time of 1min 04.43secs at Tollcross International Swim Centre was only 0.04 seconds outside the Scottish Age Group record.

Lanark coach Karen Kelly said: “I thought Mark’s performances were excellent considering that he is only 12.

“Winning two silver medals when he was at the bottom end of the age group is something he should be proud of.

“I think he has a bright future in swimming.”

Mark’s sterling efforts in Glasgow came just seven months after he had broken Scottish Age Group records in the 11 years 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly.

And he wasn’t Lanark Swimming Club’s only success story at the Tollcross Centre, as three clubmates landed bronze medals.

The 17/19 years Lanark Grammar duo of Robyn Patrick and Euan McComish were third the 100m breaststroke and 200m butterfly respectively, while Robert Owen Primary School’s Robbie Davenhill did likewise in the 12 years and under boys 50m freestyle.

“Robyn and Euan both deserved their medals,” Karen added.

“Robyn always applies himself well at training and in competitions and Euan has kept plugging away since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year.

“And wee Robbie swam out of his skin on only the second occasion he’d swum in a 50m pool. He wasn’t seeded to get a medal, so to get a bronze was a terrific effort.”

Podium finishes were narrowly missed by Lanark Grammar pupils Erin Snow and Shiona McClafferty, who were fourth in the 13/14 100m and 200m breaststroke and 15/16 200m breaststroke respectively.

Carluke High’s Mitchell Stevenson was fifth in the 15/16 years 200m butterfly, while 12 years and under swimmers Caitlyn Hamilton (Underbank), Sarah Lang (Lanark) and Euan McLeod (Biggar) all posted personal best times in their Scottish Schools debuts.

Also swimming to best ever times were 13/14 year old swimmers Heather Stevenson, Abbigail McArthur, Alistair Dunsmore and Finlay Patrick.