Prince Rupert sent eight swimmers to Victoria for BC's short course AAA Provincials Championships.
It was a record setting meet for the club as the team matched it's high for both finals reached (18) and medals won (7) at the competition.
Leading the way was Avery Movold (12), who won a trio of bronze medals in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 backstroke. She also made finals in the 800 freestyle (4th), 200 backstroke (5th), 200 freestyle (5th) and 400 freestyle (8th). Her combined scores from those events was enough to earn her Swim BC's Regional Athlete Development award as the top swimmer from the Northwest Region. Her times in the 50, 100 and 800 freestyle all set new Prince Rupert club records.
Right behind her with a trifecta of medals was Liam McChesney (11). Liam won the silver medal in the 50 freestyle, along with the bronze medals in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. His 1:13.56 time in the 100 backstroke qualified him to swim in the Far Western Championship Swim Meet in California. A meet that the club will be attending in August.
It was a weekend of near misses for Amy Leighton (11). She opened the meet by winning the silver medal in the 800 freestyle and then three times just missed reaching the podium again. Amy came 4th in the 400 IM and both the 200 & 400 freestyle, she made one other final, coming 7th in the 200 breaststroke. Her 10:22.77 time in the 800 freestyle was good for both her first 12 & under AAA time and to earn her first Far Western qualifying time.
Quinn Basso (15) earned a pair of second swims, coming 7th in the 400 IM and 8th in the 200 breaststroke. His time of 4:57.95 in the 400 IM was his fourth Far Western qualifying time. Brandan Hagen (15) earned a final of his own with a 7th place finish in the 100 breaststroke. He made a new AAA time in the 200 IM clocking in at 2:22.61. He also made his first two Far Western cuts with times of 1:11.48 and 2:38.87 in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes respectively. Trey Kish (13) made one final, an 8th place finish in the 100 freestyle. His time of 1:01.19 was enough for a new AAA time. Trey also swam on a Points North relay team, with swimmers from Kitimat and Smithers, that came 7th in the 14 & under boys 4x 100 freestyle.
Sarah McChesney (16) swam a new AAA time in the 200 backstroke, coming in at 2:26.91. Her best finish was a 13th in the 800 freestyle. Cyrus Sobredo (16) didn't make any new standards but he swam three new best times and topped out at 25th in the 100 breaststroke.
The club now turns right around and heads to Smithers this weekend for the fourth regional meet of the season.
~By Christ Street