THE county’s top young swimmers excelled at the East District Championships, returning from Fife with an impressive medal haul.

East Lothian Swim Team (ELST) – made up of swimmers from Haddington, Musselburgh and Tranent swim clubs – took home 62 medals at the first round of the championships in Glenrothes.

ELST swimmers participated in all the 50m sprint events, as well as the 400m freestyle and medley.

Jamie Ward, ELST head coach, said: “I am very happy with the performances this weekend and once again we have shown the strength we have across the team.

“A number of our athletes are currently in very heavy training with a focus on upcoming national meets, making these performances even more impressive.

“It was great to finally return to East Districts with such a strong performance and it shows how exciting the year ahead will be.”

In the 13-years’ age group, Tranent’s Zara Krawiec set an East District record of 35.52 seconds in the 50m breaststroke on her way to five gold medals and a silver.

In the same age group, Anna Lawson claimed one gold; Isla Whetton picked up two silvers; and Eva Kay and Isla Luke each took home a bronze.

Lucy Fleming also had a fantastic meet, winning gold in both the 400m events along with two silvers and two bronzes in the 12-year-old age group.

In the 15 years’ division, Helen Stoddart raced to gold in the 50m freestyle, butterfly and backstroke, while Tegan Black set a personal best on her way to gold in the 400m individual medley.

Eilidh Armstrong would win an impressive three medals in the 16-year-old group, including gold in the 50m breaststroke and two bronzes in the 50m backstroke and 400m individual medley. In the 18-years’ group, Iona Wilson highlighted her racing experience with a bronze in the gruelling 400m individual medley.

ELST also experienced a stellar weekend in the boys’ events.

In the 13-year-old age group, Conner Aspinall continued to show his promise by claiming three gold medals in both 400m events and the 50m backstroke, as well as a silver and bronze in the 50m freestyle and breaststroke respectively.

In the same age group, Lewis Lothian also took home an impressive bronze in the 50m butterfly.

Ross Anderton continued his preparations for the Scottish Nationals with four golds and two silvers, producing some spectacular personal best times in the 14-year-old age group.

Declan Kay also impressed in this age group, claiming two silvers in the 50m backstroke and butterfly.

In the 15-year-old age group, Zach Slater added to his ever-growing medal tally with two golds, three silvers and a bronze.

Multiple Scottish record holder Stefan Krawiec put in some remarkable times in the 16-year-old group by winning four gold medals and one silver, while also equalling the East District age record of 25.91 seconds in the 50m butterfly.

In the same age group, Luke Hornsey produced another strong weekend with two golds in the 400m events, along with four silvers in the sprint events.

Calum Peebles also added two bronzes in the 400m freestyle and 50m backstroke as ELST shone in the 16-year-old age group.

In the 17s, Owen Williamson secured a bronze in the 50m backstroke.

Attention now turns to the second round of the competition, to be held on February 19 and 20 in Bathgate; and the final round at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh on March 26 and 27.

Last year’s East Districts were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.