Marsaxlokk ASC in Maribor
Just a few short months after forming Malta's newest swimming club, last weekend Marsaxlokk ASC athletes travelled to Maribor, Slovenia to take part in their first long-course international competition.
On December 9 and 10, the swimmers put their skills to the test against 250 other athletes at the MM Maribor Meet 2017, an annual event, organised in accordance with FINA rules.
Unfazed by experienced competition from clubs across Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania, including European champions and a former Olympian, this small squad were impressive from the start.
Alexandra McGonigle delivered an early result by breaking her own Group D age group record in the 50m breaststroke. McGonigle clocked a time of 34.02, beating her previous record of 34.39 achieved in Gzira last month.
Spurred on by success, medals were awarded to Sasha Gatt, Kyle Buhagiar and Matthew Zammit for their heat swims and three others from the nine-strong squad joined them in the finals.
During the next morning's competition, heat swim results included a seasonal best swim for Lisa Cini and medals awarded to Kyra Jade Debono, Sasha Gatt, Maya Schembri Rogers and Kyle Buhagiar.
By the Sunday afternoon...