Talented young Scots duo are making waves indoors and out

SWIMMING: Two FIRST Club members have cause for celebration. Charlotte McKenzie (Larbert High School) was named Scotland’s Junior Swimmer of the Year and Alyshia McCracken (Dollar Academy) recently became the youngest swimmer to complete the Faros Marathon in Croatia.

Charlotte competed for Scotland in the European Junior Championships in Antwerp in June, helping GB win the silver medal in the 4 x 100m medley relay and taking fourth place in the individual 200m backstroke.

“I’ve been coaching Charlotte since she was 11 and she is now the Scottish record-holder in both 50m and 100m backstroke which is a great achievement for a 15-year-old,” said FIRST coach, Steven Tigg.

“Over the past few years, we have built up the leading age-group programme in Scotland and a whole lot of credit must go to the head teacher at Grangemouth High School who has given us access to the school pool.

“We really appreciate the fact that we can get in at respectable times. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work.

“There are a few Grangemouth High pupils in our performance squad, including Dale McAnish, who competed for Scotland at last year’s UK School Games.

“Charlotte’s next target is the Scottish Short-course Championships at the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh in December, and next year her main goal is the World Junior Championships in Casablanca.”

However, the ultimate ambition for the girl who will be 16 in November is to make the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

It was only a year ago that Alyshia, a 15-year-old from Dollar Academy, joined Tigg’s squad. But she has already made huge waves in the rather hair-raising arena that is Open Water swimming.

The Faros event is one of the most prestigious – this year was the 37th staging – and it is held in Starigrad Bay on the Croatian Island of Havr.

The race is 16km (around ten miles) – five miles out and five miles back and Alyshia, who was selected to represent Scotland, finished ninth woman, the best result by a British competitor. Alyshia was accompanied on the Croatian adventure by FIRST coach, Alistair Calder. He plays an important role at the drinks station, making sure he gets the refreshment to his charge.

“It was a real class field with Olympic and World Championships swimmers taking part,” said Tigg.

“Alyshia is very hard working and totally dedicated. It’s just a shame that there won’t be an Open water event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“But she is also a talented 1500m swimmer and took the bronze medal at the Scottish age-group Championships.”

Alyshia’s next step is to make the British Open Water team.