Contributed by Angie Abdou
Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club
Fourteen Elk Valley Dolphins traveled to Lethbridge February 4-6 to compete at the Pronghorn Classic. The club had an exceptionally successful weekend. The Fernie swimmers achieved 70 personal best times, 6 podium finishes, 2 club records, and 31 qualifying times (for Northern Interior BC Divisional Championships and/or for Provincials).
At 9-years-old, Layla Rella was Fernie’s youngest swimmer to compete. She swam with more experienced swimmers in the 11 & under category. Rella still managed to make B or C finals in all her swims. Impressively, she won the B-final (9th overall) in the 50 free. Layla Rella is certainly a swimmer to watch for!
Podium finishes went to Kiera Hansen (gold in the 100 IM), Josie Howse (silver in the 200 free), Olivia Howse (bronze in the 50 free), and Cadence Prefontaine (bronze in the 50 free).
Jackson Radkie also had a phenomenal weekend, breaking 2 club records in the 14-50 boys’ category (50 fly, 100 IM). When asked for comment, he replied “Brock Tomlinson, I’m coming for you!” Radkie now has his sights on other club records in the division.
For new qualifying times, Katherine Hafke made Northern Interior Divisionals in the 11-12 category for 50 free, 50 back, and 100 back. Kiera Hansen qualified in the 15 & over 100 fly, 200 breast, 200 IM, and 400 free (with a beautifully paced swim). Josie Howse dropped over a minute to add 200 free to her list of 11-12 age category Divisional Championship swims. Jackson Radkie made Divisional time standards in his 50 free and 50 fly for the 15 & over age group.
Abbi Wannamaker competed in her first out-of-town meet and overcame nerves to excel in some of the most challenging events, including 100 fly and 400 free.
All the Fernie swimmers got a chance for second swims in the A, B, or C finals.
The Dolphins’ next meet is the Divisional Championships in Penticton near the end of February.
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