Vernon swimmers from the Kokanee Swim Club (VKSC) claimed top marks in the regional championships, combining for the overall bronze medal.
Penticton hosted the Interior and North B.C. Regional Championships Feb. 23-25, featuring 15 teams from across the province, including 32 swimmers from the VKSC.
The team combined to deliver 225 new personal best times in events.
Asher VanderDeen qualified for his first Provincial Championships, with his gold in the 50 metre breaststroek. At the championships, which took place in Victoria, March 7-10, VanderDeen swam to 37th overall.
Top medal winners at the meet were: Emily Adam (three gold, silver, two bronze), Julia Brandner (silver), Zion Ellis (gold, four bronze), Anders Erikson (two silver), Max Helm (three bronze), Niya Kashuba (gold, silver, bronze), Norah McIntyre (gold), Alex Puchkov (gold, four silver, three bronze), Kubrick Reed (gold, silver, two bronze), Julia Russell (three gold, two bronze), Kaeden Uesson (two silver, bronze) and VanderDeen’s gold and two bronze.
The boys 12 and under relay teams took home two gold medals, which consisted of Puchkov, Helm, Jed Hubbard, and Rowan Brett.
The girls 13-14 relay squad took home two bronze medals, as the team consisted of Kashuba, Adam, Abby Helm, and Mariia Kuzmenko. The 12 and under mixed relay team broke a club record in the 4 x 100 Medley Relay with McIntyre, Uesson, Puchkov, and Dean Goldie racing to a silver medal.
The 13 and 14 mixed relay team broke a club record in the 4 x 100 Medley Relay with Kashuba, Adam, Johnny Kroes, and Reed racing to a silver medal. The 15 and over mixed relay team broke a club record in the 4 x 100 Medley Relay with Zion Ellis, VanderDeen, Julia Russell, and Nathan Hubbard claiming fifth place.
Hera Serzane, of the VKSC, is also currently in Europe competing at the Latvia Youth National Championships.
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