YORKTON - The Estevan Mermaids artistic swimming team started their 2024-25 competitive season at the annual Marnie Eistetter Figures Competition and also attended the Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming Awards Banquet.
Nineteen competitive and limited competitive athletes competed in Yorkton on Nov. 23 and 24, where they focused on figure events, performing movements that require precision in flexibility, height and design for each individual athlete.
For some athletes, this was their first competition, and despite the nerves of performing solo routines in front of judges, many exceeded their personal goals.
"The competition went well and we are very proud of how our athletes performed at the figure competition," said head coach Amber Mantei.
The athletes also enjoyed a development camp held on Nov. 24. This included two pool sessions to work on figure and routine skills, and they had three dryland sessions which included mental training, hip hop and yoga.
In the 10U limited competitive division, Ciara Schell was third, Tylee Picton was fifth and Laikynn Shier came sixth.
Competing in 12U limited competitive were Mackenzie Delainey (eighth) and Jillianne Velasquez (ninth).
Lainey Halkyard was first and Ava Collomb was second in youth limited competitive.
In the 12U competitive division, Estevan swimmers were Eva Meyers (third), Kayden Pukas (fifth), Brinley Groenveld (sixth) and Lexington Beaudry (seventh).
In youth competitive (with exhibition), Rowyn Shier was the top local swimmer in 17th. Sierra Mantei was 19th and Isabelle Pyra was 20th. Other Mermaids were Ava Donison, Sarah Pyra, Mahaley Fonstad, Rory Miller and Sarah Greening.
Sierra Mantei and Rowyn Shier competed in senior elements.
The Mermaids attended the Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming (SAS) Awards Banquet, which had a Christmas theme. Athletes, coaches and volunteers alike received recognition for their achievements.
"We are very proud of the athletes and coaches that also won awards at the annual SAS awards banquet held on Saturday night [Nov. 23]. We all have worked hard to make our club a success and support the success of our athletes," said Mantei.
Mermaids who won awards were:
•Provincial Pathway Athlete of the Year: Rory Miller;
•Jamie Eistetter Coaching Excellence: Amber Mantei;
•Junior Coach of the Year: Andri Groenveld;
•Recreation Coach of the Year: Shannon Culy; and
•High Performance Athlete Recognition: Rowyn Shier and Isabelle Pyra
