The KISU swim club hopes 2016 is as successful as 2015.
“We had a spectacular season last year. In fact one of our best ever,” said KISU head coach Tina Hoeben. “It would be pretty hard to beat that. I actually think that the group of swimmers we have in the water are capable of that. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
Among the accomplishments from 2015 are being the first runner up for Club of the Year from Swim BC, they sent Andrew Cooke and Avery Ruth Newton to the CanAm in March, Cooke also competed at the Para PanAm Games in Toronto, while Newton medalled at the World Special Olympic Games in L.A. Acacia Benn, Jaren LeFranc, Sam Lasinski, Tyler Wall, Riley Wall and Samuel Matthew went to age-group nationals in Quebec City in July. LeFranc also competed at the Western Canada Summer Games and has qualified to attend Olympic trials, as did Cooke, who has gone before, and Riley McLean. Hoeben said that will be a really good experience. For LeFranc, 16, it will be about the experience and seeing what he can do against Canada’s best swimmers.
“He is quite young to be having the goal of making the team,” said Hoeben.
He is also going to the Junior International Swim Meet in Toronto.
Payton Nackoney secured a scholarship with the University of South Dakota, they raised $2,000 for the OSNS at the annual Albatross MegaSwim. They had 10 swimmers finish December on the Honour Roll (maintaining a 90 per cent average in their secondary studies): Reece Haberstock, Lasinski, Wynn Nordlund, Mackenzie Wallich, Joy Wang, Simon Paisley, Matthew, James Naude, Emmy Caruso and Annmarie Lang-Hodge.
Next month, the club is hosting the AA provincial short course championships running Feb. 12-14. The club is still actively looking for volunteers and for donations from local businesses. Those interested in offering support are asked to go to www.kisu.ca. The club is also offering a free two-week trial for kids starting Feb.1. Sign up by emailing admin@kisu.ca.
