For the first time in Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club history, one of their swimmers has qualified for nationals.
Fernie’s Olivia Howse beat the 1500-metre Freestyle qualifying time of 19:44 by 11 seconds with a long-course time of 19:33, opening up a slot for her to compete against approximately 30 other athletes at Nationals.
“I was pretty happy,” said Howse. “I was originally trying to get western times, and to come out with a national time, I was pretty excited.”
However, she was faced with a tough decision.
Howse also qualified for this year’s BC Summer Games, and both competitions fall under similar dates. After much thought, she decided to compete in the summer games instead, as this was the last year she could compete in B.C. Although she could technically try out again in 2020, her times would be too fast for the summer games. Howse is confident she can qualify again for Nationals in 2019.
She is currently ranked 7th in the country in the 12-year-old category.
Dolphins head coach Aidan Chudleigh was impressed that Howse not only qualified for Nationals, but did so as a 12-year-old. The category for which she qualified was for swimmers age 13 to 15. Howse turns 13 on June 25.
“It’s a pretty big achievement to get that,” he said.
For the young athlete, long distance swimming is a challenge she enjoys.
“I like the rhythm I get into,” she said.
In the last two years, Howse has progressed tremendously as a swimmer, according to Chudleigh.
Two years ago, Howse’s times were not fast enough for provincials. Last year, she not only qualified but went on to win gold and bronze at BC Provincials. This year, Howse outperformed last year’s successes, taking home three gold, one silver and two bronze at provincials, followed by a national qualifying time in 1500m freestyle.
Howse said that Chudleigh’s presence had been great for the Dolphins Swim Club and that without his coaching, she would not be at the level of competition she is.
The young athlete trains six times a week at the Fernie Aquatic Centre.
Next year, Howse and Chudleigh are aiming for Nationals again, and Chudleigh believes she will be able to qualify in the top 20, if not the top 10 athletes.