Swimmers from 18 different teams across 11 countries warm-up during the second day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. More than 2,000 individual entries into the pool left 20 event records broken. William Howard/Stars and Stripes (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Swimmers from 18 different teams across 11 countries warm-up during the second day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. More than 2,000 individual entries into the pool left 20 event records broken. William Howard/Stars and Stripes (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Swimmers from Sigonella getting psyched for the final day the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. More than 2,000 individual entries into the pool left 20 event records broken. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Geilenkirchen's Hylcke de Beer tries for record time in the 9-year-old girls 100 meter freestyle during the final day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. She set four records in the girls 9-year-old category: 50 butterfly (34.85), 50 breaststroke (41.66), 50 freestyle (31.01) and 50 backstroke (37.12). (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart's Ella Bathurst in her record performance in the girls age 13-14 200 meter freestyle in the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. "When I get in the pool, I think of it as just me and the clock and I don't worry about anyone else," Bathurst said. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart's Ella Bathurst dives into the pool during the mixed age 13-14 200 meter freestyle relay in the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Bathurst set six records in the girls 13-14-year-old division. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Marlins Coach Lieven Willems runs swimmers through warm-ups during the final day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. More than 2,000 individual entries into the pool left 20 event records broken. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart's Dane Bathurst pulls ahead of the competition during the 9-year-old boys 50 meter backstroke during the final day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Stuttgart walked away with a combined medal count of 96 with 37 gold, 37 silver and 22 bronze. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
Lakenheath swimmer Dominic Scifo prepares to dive into the boys 17-19 age group 50 meter freestyle during the final day of the annual European Forces Swim League championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. "You know everyone is chasing gold, but it's good to know that you're beating the people that swam before you and it's really rewarding," Scifo said. (William Howard/Stars and Stripes)
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands ― More than 2,000 individual entries into the pool left 20 event records broken by Sunday’s conclusion of the annual two-day European Forces Swim League championships.
Stuttgart's Ella Bathurst finished with six records in the girls 13-14-year-old division: 100-meter freestyle (59.39 seconds), 100 breaststroke (1 minute, 18.22 seconds) and 400 freestyle (4:44.36) from Saturday and 50 freestyle (27.47), 200 freestyle (2:12.25) and 200 individual medley (2:29.10) Sunday.
“For me it’s not about rivalries,” Bathurst said. “When I get in the pool, I think of it as just me and the clock and I don’t worry about anyone else.”
Geilenkirchen's Hylcke de Beer followed close behind, setting four records in the girls 9-year-old category: 50 butterfly (34.85), 50 breaststroke (41.66), 50 freestyle (31.01) and 50 backstroke (37.12).
Kaiserslautern's Leon Pierre-Louis finished the championships with three records in the 8-under boys category: 50 freestyle (34.37), 100 freestyle (1:20.81) and 200 freestyle (2:54.76).
“I like breaking records and I do it because I think swimming is my talent,” Pierre-Louis said. “I feel like I’m a star.”
Other records were set Sunday by SHAPE’s Daniel Heath (9 boys 100 freestyle, 1:16.71), Kaiserslautern (mixed 11-12 200 freestyle relay, 1:58.80; mixed 11-12 200 medley relay, 2:14.20) and Stuttgart (mixed 13-14 200 freestyle relay, 1:54.11).
Stuttgart walked away with a combined medal count of 96 with 37 gold, 37 silver and 22 bronze. The Kaiserslautern Kingfish followed closely with 78 medals: 33 gold, 25 silver and 20 bronze.
Familiar names continued to appear in the top three in each event as many swimmers took advantage of the opportunity to compete nearly every chance they could in their age brackets.
Most swimmers left the arena exhausted, with many laden down by trophies, medals and ribbons earned by their efforts.
Next year they’ll return to leave more legacies in the pool. At least until the next record-breaker comes along.
“You know everyone is chasing gold, but it’s good to know that you’re beating the people that swam before you and it’s really rewarding,” Lakenheath’s 17-year-old Dominic Scifo said, who set a record in the 17-19 boys 100 butterfly (58.30).
