YOUNG athletes from East Lothian Swim Team (ELST) were recognised for their achievements in the past 12 months as the club held its annual awards evening.

A range of awards were presented, recognising not only individual success but also the behind-the-scenes commitment from club members.

Tranent’s Stefan Krawiec was named Swimmer of the Year for an exceptional season that has seen him smash multiple national age-group records.

Bruce Halloran, ELST head coach, said: “Stefan has had the most outstanding year, rewriting the national and district record books, winning 10 national titles and whitewashing the district championships, winning all events and claiming the top boy award; well done Stefan.”

Louisa Stoddart was female Breakthrough Swimmer of the Year for her improvements – she was crowned national champion in the 50m and 100m butterfly at the Scottish National Age Group Championships (SNAGs).

She was a double award-winner, taking the junior Swim of the Year title for her 50m butterfly win at SNAGs.

The senior award winner for Swim of the Year went to Bridget Lemasurier for her gold-medal-winning performance in the 16-year-old age group 100m breaststroke at SNAGs.

Craig Mellon won the male Breakthrough Swimmer of the Year.

He qualified for the national age groups for the first time, where he then reached another milestone of making his first national final.

Halloran added: “Craig is a true representation of long-term athlete development and has only just started to make his mark in Scottish swimming.”

The club’s record-breaking swimmers – Krawiec; Calum Peebles, who also broke multiple district records this year; and Lemasurier, an East District record-holder, all received awards for those accomplishments.

And there was a special Services to the Swim Team award for Susan Calderhead as she brings to an end an eight-year association with the club. The club’s competition secretary is preparing to move to Canada with her family but was thanked for her contribution.

On the “incredibly committed” volunteer, Halloran added: “Susan has worked tirelessly to ensure that every swimmer always had the best chance of achieving their potential through her work as competition secretary and her general committee involvement.”

The club also selected its team captains for 2018/19 – Anna Balfour and Finlay Hart (both Tranent), and their first job was to hand out the Future Stars prizes to junior swimmers.

They went to Ben Williamson and Grace Courtney, who excelled at district and national level in the past 12 months.

Halloran said: “The standard of swimming which has been put on display over the last 12 months has been fantastic.

“For East Lothian to finish fifth in the country [at SNAGs] and have as many individual national title holders as we do is a testament to the work for the swimmers, their parents, the committee and the coaching team. We are all very proud.”

ELST comprises the best swimmers from the county’s three competitive swim clubs: Haddington, Musselburgh and Tranent.