GRACE DAVISON set a new national record as the Ards swimmer claimed bronze in the 100m freestyle final at the European Aquatics Junior Championships.
The 17-year-old also advanced to today’s 200m Individual Medley final in Samorin, Slovakia.
Galway teen John Shortt put in another impressive display, qualifying for the 100m backstroke final — his third decider of the week.
In the 100m freestyle final, Davison was fifth turning into the back 50 metres, but the Paris Olympian battled on to touch the wall in 54.80.
And by pipping Britain’s Theodora Taylor by .04 of a second, she retained the European Junior bronze medal she won in Vilnius last year.
She also set a new Irish senior record, beating Danielle Hill’s 2022 time of 54.87.
Despite only having an hour between races, Davison secured a place in today’s 200m IM final as third-fastest qualifier, clocking 2:15.02.
She said: “The last thing my coach Curtis Coulter said to me before going into the call room was, ‘If you knew you’d be walking in here a couple of months ago, you’d be happy’.
“I’ve had a hard year in terms of sickness and not enjoying racing, I knew I hadn’t the training behind me to go into trials and swim well.
“Those who know me know I like to throw in a good performance, so that was hard.
“It’s been an uphill battle from there but I’m so glad I didn’t give up. I now have a medal and I’m in another final.”
On setting a new Irish record, Davison added: “I’m so pleased. I’m 17 and to have an Irish senior record, I’m really proud of myself.”
Davison has also secured qualification times in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m IM for the World Junior Championships in Bucharest next month.
Shortt, meanwhile, will compete in tonight’s 100m backstroke final as second-fastest qualifier after he won his semi with a time of 54.97.
The 18-year-old, who won silver in this event last year, said: “I feel good, it’s exactly what my coach wanted me to do.”
Shortt won bronze in the 200m backstroke final on Friday night.
He added: “I’m just really enjoying my racing.
“The lads gave me a good race, which is exactly what you want.”
