KISU‘s top swimmers are San Francisco bound for the Speedo Long Course Far Western Championships.
Representing the club are Jaren LeFranc, Evan Peters, Ryan McMillan, Anna Spence, Mackenzie Wallich, Ashley McMillan and Marlee Caruso. This event is the last of the season for all the swimmers except for LeFranc, who is competing in the World Junior Championships in Indianapolis on Aug. 13. The meet features swimmers from Canada and the best California has to offer. Coach Tina Hoeben said the event is at a higher level than provincials.
“It’s pretty stiff (competition),” she said. “I hope to see them go up against the best. I think we have the potential to get some top-eight swims or top nine swims. They had really awesome performances at provincials (in Kamloops). I think that they are going to push that window even further at this meet.”
While that group is in San Francisco, Acacia Benn and Tyler Wall will be in Winnipeg for the Canada Summer Games, July 28 to Aug. 13. Both have been training hard.
“I’m quite excited to see what they can do,” said Hoeben. “They will be up against some pretty tough competition. It’s the best in Canada for their ages. It’s going to be fast.”
LeFranc will be in Indianapolis with Hoeben for the 18 and under FINA World Junior Swimming Championships. LeFranc will continue his training in San Francisco, and with the help of Hoeben, find any areas of weakness to address.
“It’s an important meet for him to kind of just see what he needs to tune up going into the worlds,” she said.
KISU third in provincials
Solid performances helped the club earn bronze at the Swim B.C. AAA provincial championships, July 6 to 10 in Kamloops.
“We were just really tough,” said Hoeben, adding that the team went in pushing for a top-10 finish.
On the final day, the swimmers put on incredible performances. Ashley McMillan continued her streak of gold medals in the 200 breast stroke and 200 IM. She made the trials time in the 200-m breast stroke (and already had it in the 200 IM). On the third day, in the open water swim, McMillan came in second by a hair, while winning gold in the 100-m breast stroke and 400-m freestyle. On the second day, McMillan took first by a long shot in the 400 IM and silver in the 200-m backstroke. McMillan opened provincials by winning gold in the 800-m freestyle and 100-m backstroke (by 0.02s).
Jaren LeFranc continued his winning ways of the breaststroke events and put in a huge effort for the 400 IM.
“He didn’t just sweep the breast stroke events … the distance he had between him and the rest of the field was very impressive. He had a huge lead going in,” said Hoeben.
LeFranc also earned gold in the 100-m breast stroke on the third day and picked up silver; nearly earning a best time in the 200 IM. He opened the championship with gold in the 50-m breast stroke.
Marlee Caruso earned a best time in the 200 IM and nearly won the B final. On the second day, she trimmed four seconds from her 400 IM.
Benn enjoyed a strong performance in the 200 IM, giving her a new best time and making her first Canadian Summer Championship time on the final day. On the second day, she took the award for the gutsiest swim in a super tough 400 IM without goggles. She also swam a great race in the 200-m backstroke, earning a bronze medal.
Thomas Caruso trimmed 13 seconds for a new best time that put him fourth in the 400 IM. On the second day, he picked up bronze in the 200-m backstroke. He was solidly in fourth at the 150-mark and swam his heart out in the last 50-m, out-touching his competitor in the last metre or two. On the first day, Caruso earned bronze in the 200-m fly.
Justin Fotherby won gold in the 400 IM, and did the same on the third day in the 100-m breast stroke. He also won gold in the 200-m freestyle. On the second day he was golden in the 100-m freestyle (57.75) and 200 IM (2:24). He opened with silver in the 200-m fly and gold in the 400-m freestyle. He also earned silver in the 100-m fly.
Ava Wall won the B final of the 50-m freestyle and earned her second Western time. Her brother Tyler earned bronze in the 50-m freestyle. On the second day, he won gold in the 50-m backstroke and won gold in the 100-m backstroke on the first day.
The under-14 boys relay team earned bronze, while the under-18 squad picked up gold. On the third day, the 15 and under teams earned bronze, while the 18 and under team won gold.
“These were really exciting races, especially the 18&U,” said Hoeben. “We were missing some of our heavy hitters, so Tyler and Jaren worked hard to give a lead to Simon Paisley and Sam Matthew.”
On the third day, Anna Spence and Elijah Kliever each earned silver in the 50-m backstroke. Jose Perales won gold in the 100-m fly.
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