Elk Valley swimmers have returned from provincials with 12 personal best times and 13 new club records.
Five senior athletes from the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club (EVDSC) qualified for the 2018-2019 Winter Provincial Championships – the most in the club’s history.
Mac Dressler, Olivia Howse, Brock Tomlinson and sisters Holly and Leah Soetaert travelled to Kamloops for the competition from March 7-10.
LOOK BACK: Elk Valley Dolphins to make a splash at provincials
EVDSC head coach Aidan Chudleigh said out of 15 individual swims, there were 12 personal best times and 11 new club records set over the weekend, as well as two relay club records.
Both Olivia and Leah are off to the Western Canadian Championships in Edmonton next month after achieving the national standard.
Olivia was the fastest 13-year-old girl in the pool during the 200m freestyle and the second fastest in the 400m, and 1500m freestyle.
“This was a great meet with all swimmers achieving best times. It put our club in a strong position with nationals around the corner,” said Chudleigh.
“Moving forward, we hope to build on this success and try to get more swimmers to the provincial level.
“Our club is starting to be very competitive, not just in our region but on a provincial scale, which is really pleasing to see from a small community.”
EVDSC athletes will have a chance to showcase their prowess in the pool at the club’s annual meet from April 26-28 at the Fernie Aquatic Centre. Chudleigh said the meet historically attracts over 300 swimmers from Alberta, B.C. and the U.S.
“It is a great event and really showcases our club,” he said.
“Anyone in town is more than welcome to come and cheer on the EVDSC swimmers.”
