Eight young speed swimmers and their head coach Ashley Benko recently travelled and competed at the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Club Invitational Swim Meet in Regina. Benko was pleased with the performances turned in by all of her young charges, reiterated in the following statement.
"The meet was a splashing success, each swimmer improved his or her time in at least one race swam at the meet."
She added that it's a testament to the training they've been putting forth over the long, cold winter months.
"The fact that we are all showing improvement in our times shows that all of our hard work and dedication this winter was worth it."
Jennifer Haczkewicz led the club's medal charge finishing first in the 10-and-under girls' 50-meter backstroke.She also had third place finishes in the 50-m freestyle as well as the 100-m backstroke.Jennifer's time in the backstroke improved by 59 seconds.
Matthew Todos had an awesome meet. Competing against boys a year older than himself in the 11 and 12-year-old category he finished sixth in the 400-m freestyle event. Benko was astounded by his 1:21 improvement in that race. Todos also reached the final of the 50-m freestyle, where he finished eighth.
This race was especially cool for Todos because he swam it right after the opening ceremonies and the singing of, "Oh Canada." His name was announced to the capacity crowd as he mounted the blocks to start his race, a truly special moment for the young swimmers scrapbook.
Kelsey Haczkewicz roundedout the top-eight finishers for the Yorkton club by finishing seventh in the 10-and-under girls 200-m freestyle event.
Personal best swim times were turned in by all Yorkton swimmers at the meet.Some of the highlights were Jillian Just's 41 second improvement in the 400-m freestyle.Her younger sister Emma shaved 23 seconds off of her 50m breaststroke time and 22 seconds off of her 100m backstroke best time.Lindsey Schmidt chopped 16 seconds off of her 200-m breaststroke time. Alexandria Flaman erased 10 seconds from her 100m backstroke time and Hannah Wyatt swam 11 seconds faster than her personal best time in the 100-m backstroke.
Club president Tonia Vermette was in attendance at the meet and said she's got high expectations for each and every swimmer on the team, adding that the work on the 10-and-under girls' team was hard to overlook
"I was extremely pleased with the tenacity of the 10 and under girls relay team (but that being said) we expect great things from this group of young ladies in the future."
She hopes that all swimmers will one day get to take part in the clubs relay program.
The next meet for the speed swimmers is an outdoor meet in Moose Jaw during the weekend of June 16-17.According to Benko, this meet wraps up the club's competitive season for the year.
The Yorkton Speed Swimming Club is always welcoming new members.Registration information can be picked up at the Gallagher Centre or you can visit the club's booth at city-wide registration night in September.
