Morning Star Staff
The Vernon Kokanee Swim Club hosted 200 swimmers from around the Okanagan Valley last weekend.
There were 68 swimmers representing the Kokanees and 374 new personal best times and 15 new provincial championship qualifying times were achieved.
Achieving new provincial AA or AAA times include: Jonathan Heffner, Alexanne Lepage, Morgan Mardiros, Ryan Murphy, Brandon Phillips, Nicholas Phillips, Zachary Sholdice, Samantha Shortt, Charlotte Wendlandt, Ellie Williamson and Robert Yacovelli.
Some of the swimmers came away with wins in their events. Those top spots included Gavin Johnson, 100 Breast, Liam Greenan, 200 Back, 200 I.M., 100 Back, Charlie Erickson, 50 Back, 50 Fly, 100 Fly. All three boys compete in the 10 and under age group.
In the 13-14 girls age group Kelsey Fillion came away with the top spot in the 50 Free. In the boys 13-14 age group, gold-medal finishes came from Jonathan Heffner in 200 Back, Liam Williamson in 50 and 100 Breast, and 200 I.M. and Matthew Winn in 50 Back and 800 Free. Meredith Levorson took top spot in six events in the 15 and over girls category: 50, 100, 800 Free, 50 and 100 Back, 50 Breast.
First-time swimmers at the regional level included Sariah Hubbard, who competed in the 50 Breast and 200 I.M. Amelie Jordan raced in nine different races, while Charlotte Lemay raced for the first time and participated in seven different races. Carlos Imanol Ramirez competed for Vernon in the 15 and over boys category and completed nine races.
“With training still going strong and the swimmers not in a rested state, I think there are great indications of excellent swimming to come.” said Kokanee coach Steven Vander Meulen.
“We still have a month of good training to do and I’m excited to see what we can do at the Kamloops meet in December.”
The Kokanee hosted a Jamboree swim meet Sunday for swimmers trying to break into the more competitive regional meets. A total of 136 swimmers attended the swim meet and Luca Van de Vosse broke through the 4:00 time requirement to join the regional swimmers with a 3:58.23. He dropped 27 seconds from his previous best time.
The Vernon Kokanee Swim Club is celebrating its 50th year of competitive swimming.