15-year old Irish swimmer Conor Ferguson has broken the Irish Junior Record in the 200 short course meter backstroke on Fruday at the Ulster Short Course Championships, swimming a 2:00.55 two weeks ahead of the Irish Championships.
Ferguson snuck just under the 2:00.69 that was done by Shane Aherne back in 2005 in his 18th year. Ferguson, three years younger, is already ahead of the pace of Aherne – who would go on to represent Ireland internationally.
Ferguson’s splits:
- 27.64
- 30.28 (57.92)
- 31.26
- 31.37 (1:04.71)
The overall National Record isn’t far off – Donal O’Neill was a 1:58.22 in 2002 in the event.
Ferguson is building his short course season off of his long course success – he was a 57.96 to win the Irish 14-15 junior title in the 100 back; and also won the 200 IM in 2:14.09, both done at just 14 years old – all coming off of a leg injury early in the year.
Ferguson represents the Larne Swimming Club under Peter Hill.
Also breaks the Ulster Province senior record which had stood since Feb ’92. Big swim!