The Kitimat Marlins swim club hosted the Winter Invitational swim meet over the weekend with teams from Bulkley Valley, Terrace and Prince Rupert also in attendance. The Marlins had some excellent results with many new Provincial qualifiers, medalist’s, a pool record and many personal best times. With a strong showing from all 40 swimmers the Kitimat Marlins took first place for overall points out of the four teams in attendance.
Kleanza Cathers took a Silver medal for overall points in the 13-14 girls division. Along the way she co-broke the pool record in the 50 meter butterfly in the 13-14 girls. Her time of 31.58 in the event was identical to friend and competitor Avery Movold from Prince Rupert. They now both own the pool record, a rare event indeed.
Brander Pacheco (15) tied for the Gold medal in the 15 and over boys with Brandan Hagen (16) of the Prince Rupert Rapids. On the way he achieved his 5th and 6th AAA Provincial qualifying time in the 100 backstroke and 1500 meter freestyle.
Zachary Dumas (14) took the Silver medal in the 13-14 boys division. Along the way Dumas reached his second and third AA Provincial qualifying time in the 400 meter IM and 1500 meter Freestyle allowing him to compete in Chilliwack at the AA Provincial champs late February. Dumas also had the largest one swim improvement, a whopping three minute and 23 second improvement in the event. He also swam personal best times in all seven of his events.
Adrianna Florit (9) took the silver medal in the 10 and under girls division. Gabriel Lamarre (12) took the bronze medal in the 11-12 boys division. Ewan Thomopoulos (9) took the bronze medal in the 10 and under boys division. All three swimmers also did the tough task of swimming personal best times in all 7 of their events.
Also taking medals were Robyn Alderman (17) silver in the 15 and over girls and Madison Szmata (12) in the 11-12 girls division.
Three other swimmers also made their first AA Provincial qualifying times and will join Dumas in Chilliwack for AA Provincial Champs. They were Hannah Pearson (11) qualified in 11 and under girls 200 meter backstroke, 200 and 400 IM. Leah Desousa (11) qualified in 11 and under girls 50 meter freestyle, 100 and 200 meter backstroke. Ethan Velho (13) qualified in the 12-13 boys 100 and 200 backstroke.
Other swimmers with the Marlins that achieved personal best times in all of their races were Angus Bathe (9), Archie Bathe (7), Laurence Boucher (13), Leah Desousa (11), Hayden Dobbin (14), Alexis Florit (8), Gabriel Lamarre (12), Vanessa Lamarre (13), Ethan Manseau (7), Hannah Pearson (11), Faith Silva (7), Jaeden Silvestre (11), Marianne Tremblay (11) and Ethan Velho (13)
The next swim meet for the Marlins will be the Terrace Regional swim meet late January.
– Submitted
