Competitors took part in a series of heats with members divided into categories according to age and gender - Under 16 Male and Female and Over 16 Male and Female. The top six times in each category won a place in the finals.
The first of the finals got off to a lively start with the competitors in the Male Under 16 years category racing to clock the fastest time and pick up a medal for first to third places. The final was extremely close with just a few points of a second between the top three places and Killinchy YFC took all top three positions. Adam Wilson from Killinchy YFC came first with a time of 15.49 seconds. In second place was fellow club member Aaron Jamieson (Killinchy YFC) with a time of 15.62 seconds and finally in third place was Gavin Neill, also from Killinchy YFC with a time of 16.44.
It was the turn of the girls to take up the challenge and the top three spots in the Under 16 Female final were closely contested. Kendal Hunter from Moneymore YFC took home the gold medal for first place with an impressive time of 14.43. Amy Beggs from Gleno Valley YFC won the silver medal with a time of 15.95 seconds just beating off Jade Hunter from Moneymore YFC who received bronze for her time of 16.10 seconds.
The Over 16's contest had just as much excitement as the under 16's with some impressive times clocked. In the Over 16 Male final, Andrew Weir from Killinchy YFC took the top spot with a time of 14.39 seconds. Mark Walker from Annaclone & Magherally YFC took silver and second place with a time of 14.70. Finally, Robin Hall from Gleno Valley YFC came third with a time of 17.35 seconds.
Next it was the turn of the Over 16 Years Female competitors to take to the water. Chloe McConaghie from Moycarig YFC took first place and gold with an impressive time of 19.91 seconds. Stephanie McCollam of Lylehill YFC clocked a time of 20.24 earning her silver and second place and third place and bronze went to Sharon Reid from Collone YFC with a time of 21.89 seconds.
The next race on the night was the team relay race, an anxiously awaited contest that saw 22 teams compete. Killinchy YFC scooped another award in this contest when Gavin Neill, Andrew Weir and Alan Wilson from the club won gold. This earned the club the much coveted Flamingo Cup. Moneymore YFC came second and Annaclone & Magherally YFC came third.
For the second year in a row, Killinchy YFC received the David Dunlop Cup for best overall performance by a club. Moneymore YFC came second and Gleno Valley Young Farmers' Clubs took third place.
YFCU Deputy President, Thoburn McCaughey, presented all the winners with commemorative medals and cups. He commented on the standard of the swimmers that took part and thanked all those who helped with the running of the competition.
"All of the members who took part in this year's Swimming Gala should be very proud of themselves as it has been a very closely contested event. Some of the times recorded were really very impressive," said Thoburn.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Seven Towers Leisure Centre for the use of its facilities; the Ballymena Amateur Swimming Club for all their assistance during the evening and the stewards and time-keepers for their assistance at the pool side," he added.
Results:
Bronze
Under 16 Female: Jade Hunter, Moneymore YFC
Under 16 Male: Gavin Neill, Killinchy YFC
Over 16 Female: Sharon Reid, Collone YFC
Over 16 Male: Robin Hall, Gleno Valley YFC
Silver
Under 16 Female: Amy Beggs, Gleno Valley YFC
Under 16 Male: Aaron Jamieson, Killinchy YFC
Over 16 Female: Stephanie McCollam, Lylehill YFC
Over 16 Male: Mark Walker, Annaclone & Magherally YFC
Gold
Under 16 Female: Kendal Hunter, Moneymore YFC
Under 16 Male: Adam Wilson, Killinchy YFC
Over 16 Female: Chloe McConaghie, Moycraig YFC
Over 16 Male: Andrew Weir, Killinchy YFC
Flamingo Cup
Killinchy YFC
David Dunlop Cup
Killinchy YFC