Dolphin Swimming Club secure Michael Bowles Memorial Cup

SUNDAY’S Well Swimming Club hosted its annual Michael Bowles gala at the Gus Healy Pool in Douglas, recently.

The meet was particularly significant this year, as the club is proudly celebrating its centenary, 100 years of dedication to the sport of swimming, community engagement and fostering young talent.

The gala, named in honour of Michael Bowles, a revered figure in the club’s history, was a highlight of the centenary celebrations to date. Michael Bowles’ legacy in the club is profound, having contributed immensely to its growth and success over the years.

His passion for swimming and commitment to nurturing young swimmers left an indelible mark.

For the first time, in a considerable number of years, the trophy crossed the river to Mayfield following an incredible team performance from Dolphin SC, particularly from their junior members.

Star of the two day meet was Lev Lonanets who claimed five individual victories and also placed 2nd at 200m IM & 100m butterfly and 3rd at 100m breaststroke.

What makes his performance all the more impressive is that he achieved personal best performances in seven of his eight events. His outstanding results earned him the Best Junior Male swimmer of the meet award.

Most impressive, were his performances in the IM with a 19.58 PB over 400m. His time 5:27.11 was 11 seconds faster than his nearest rival, clubmate Adam Mikolaj 5:387.62.

He improved by 10.89 seconds over 100m IM 1:11.62 when he topped an all-Dolphin podium with Andy Switzer in 2nd 1:13.11 and Mikolaj in 3rd on 1:13.22.

He had a 4.09 PB over 200m IM 2:32.27 but had to settle for 2nd place behind Garvan Gillard, Blackrock 2:31.61.

Lobanets made it a double victory over 200m & 100m freestyle and also topped an all-Dolphin podium at 100m backstroke with Cian Vaughan & Mikolaj in 2nd & 3rd respectively.

Gillard touched ahead of Lobanets at 100m butterfly and he collected bronze at 100m breaststroke.

The best Junior Female Award went to Lexi Dunne. She won double gold at 200m & 100m freestyle and also at 200m & 100m IM.

She collected a fifth gold at 100m breaststroke. She also placed 2nd in the Open 50m breaststroke, 3rd in the 50m butterfly and 4th in 50m freestyle.

Dunne had 6 seconds to spare at 200m freestyle 2:11.41 ahead of teammates Elin Manson and Aoibhe Moroney. The margin was 8 seconds at 200m IM 2:26.92 when she touched first ahead of teammates, Elin Manson & Emily Donohoe.

She was first to touch at 100m breaststroke 1:19.41, an event where she led four of her team mates to the top five, Shauna Murphy, Abaigeal Logan, Emily Donohoe and Orna Higgins.

Dunne was also a member of the medley relay team to set a new Munster Junior Record.

The quartet, Shauna Murphy. Dunne, Elin Manson and Orna Higgins had set a new Munster Record just a week earlier at the Irish Open & Olympic Trials. They reset that record to 2:04.21 at the Michael Bowles.

The best Senior Male Award went to Senan Harvey. He won the Open 50m backstroke 27.57 ahead of club mates, Ben Merrigan, Dmytro Cherkasov and Noah Switzer. Harvey had four 2nd place finishes.

A 5.70 PB at 100m butterfly 1:00.80 yielded silver behind Alex Barrett, Blackrock 58.79. He had a 1.28 PB at 400m freestyle 4:24.06, again finishing behind Barrett.

His other two 2nd finishes came at 100m IM and the Open 50m butterfly. Harvey also had three third place finishes at 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and at the Open 50m breaststroke.

The Conor King Memorial Cup which is presented to the winner of the 50m butterfly final was won by Dmytro Cherkasov.

The final lived up to pre competition hype with Cherkasov touching first on 26.14. Harvey 2nd on 26.49. Noah Switzer 3rd on 26.81, Alex Barrett 4th on 26.88. Luke O’Sullivan 5th on 27.15 and Ben Merrigan completing the final on 27.48.

Cherkasov had three other victories at 100m IM and 100m & 50m breaststroke.