Contributed by Angie Abdou
Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club
Fernie Secondary School hosted the Kootenay Zone swimming championships on November 7. FSS women took home first place and the men finished second.
Several Dolphins (competing for Fernie Secondary School, Kootenay District School, and The Fernie Academy) qualified for provincials by placing well at the zone competition
For FSS, senior swimmer Olivia Howse was restricted to swimming exhibition at high school zones because of recently changing schools but unofficially won all her events with strong swims and close to best times. Kiera Hansen, also in grade 12, won the 100 breaststroke and the 100 fly to qualify for provincials. She also placed 3rd in the 100 free and second in the 200 IM. Leah Soetaert, another grade 12 swimmer, placed second in the 50 free and first in the 100 back, earning herself a spot at the provincial championships. Grade 11 athlete Jackson Radkie placed 2nd in the 50 free, 100 back, and 100 free. He won the 200 IM, for a spot at provincials. Grade 8 swimmer Katie Hafke placed 3rd in the 50 free and 200 IM and was offered a spot at provincials for the 50.
The FSS senior girls relay, made up of Kiera Hansen, Leah Soetart, Abbi Wannamaker and Katie Hafke, won both the 200 Meter Medley Relay and the 200 meter freestyle relay.
Swimming for KDS, fifteen-year-old Maddox Johnson won the 50 free, 100 back, and 100 free, as well as placing 2nd in the 100 breast, making him another Dolphin provincial qualifier. He set an unofficial Dolphins’ club record in the 50 free.
Swimming for The Fernie Academy, grade 9 Adam Hayden placed third in the 50 free, 100 back, 100 breast, and 100 free, and was also offered an opportunity to compete in provincials.
Meet Manager Aysha Haines and FSS Team Manager Terri Hansen were pleased with how smoothly the meet ran after rescheduling due to pool vandalism. The competition was far more well attended then last year, with plenty of speedy competition. After hosting two years in a row, the Fernie crew will hand the responsibility over to the West Kootenay for next year’s Zone Championships.
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