Ashley McMillan played a key role in KISUs strong performance, placing 17th among 180 teams, at the Speedo Long Course Far Western Championships in San Francisco last week.
“Ashley McMillan was on fire,” wrote KISU coach Tina Hoeben on the club’s Facebook page.
The swimmers battled hot conditions in an outdoor pool.
McMillan earned her fourth time trials in the 100 metre breast stroke as she moved up to fifth from ninth. She was untouchable in the 200 breast stroke as she got her first Canadian Swimming Championship (CSC) time (and 15 year old trials) and the fastest time in Canada for 13-year-old girls, in two minutes, 39 seconds. In her 400 individual medley, she made her second CSC time, dropping seven seconds from her previous best. She also tied for the High Point award for the 13-14 girls, which Hoeben said is impressive because she is 13. She now gets to attend the Canadian Swimming Championships.
Jaren LeFranc rounded out his weekend with first place finishes in the 100 and 200 breast stroke. Mackenzie Wallich finished third with a best time in the 200 back stroke. Other swimmers earning best times were Anna Spence in the 100 and 200 back, Evan Peters in the 400 IM and Marlee Caruso also in the 400 IM. Ryan McMillan had a great meet, making finals in all his events. He had to move up quite a bit in some swims to make the top nine and placed sixth overall for High Points for 10&U boys.
“The competition was stiff. It was tough to make second swims,” said Hoeben.
The KISU coach called their result “a great placing for a club from a small town.”
“We didn’t have a full crew down there either so it wasn’t a fair representation of what we could do,” said Hoeben. “I’m very proud of how well those that attended did.”
Heading into the Far Westerns, Hoeben said the meet, which is a level above provincials, attracted “pretty stiff competition” and hoped to see them acheive top eight or nine finishes. The championship featured 1,750 swimmers.
