Fourteen-year-old Bailey Herbert scored two third-place finishes this weekend in a meet in Surrey, while a number of other Langley swimmers earned top placings at the Icebreaker Invitational in New Westminster.
Herbert was one of seven national-level swimmers from the Langley Olympians Swim Club (LOSC) to attend the Senior Circuit Meet at Guildford Recreation Centre on Saturday, placing third in both the women’s 200- and 400-metre individual medley.
Meanwhile, another 22 LOSC swimmers hit the water in a Saturday “icebreaker” meet hosted by the Hyack swim club, two of the Langley athletes bringing home first place ribbons. Ayush Kaul, 14, swam to first in the 200-metre backstroke in the boys 14-15 age category.
As well, 13-year-old Hugh McNeill – who swam a variety of events – brought home first-place finishes in the 200-metre backstroke and 400-metre freestyle, as well as second in the 200-metre individual medley and third in 200-metre individual medley (all in the boys 12-13 category).
• See full breakdown of top placings at the bottom of this story
Far away from home
LOSC alumni and current UBC Thunderbird Hillary Metcalfe, 18, competed at the 2017 Texas Grand Prix hosted at the University of Texas in Austin this past weekend.
This was an international meet with teams from Great Britain, the U.S., and Canada – with many Olympians in attendance.
Metcalfe placed second in the women’s “B” final for the 200-metre individual medley (best time 2:18.84).
She also placed first in the women’s “C” final for the 200-metre breaststroke, and fourth in the women’s “C” final for the 400-metre individual medley (best time 4:52.78).
“Way to go Hillary!” said LOSC office manager Shane Downey.
What’s to come
The local team, which is 238 swimmers strong between Langley and Abbotsford, is back in the water again this weekend, some of them here at home while others are bound for Vancouver.
LOSC is hosting a novice meet at the Walnut Grove pool this Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The club will see at least 38 of the LOSC members swimming, as well as 20 to 25 visitors expected from New Westminster, Downey explained.
In the meantime, a contingent of 42 swimmers – those who have currently qualified for provincial or national competition, or are 13-18 and still trying to qualify – are spending the weekend in Vancouver.
The Canadian Dolphin Swim Club is hosting a three-day meet that kicks off Friday.
Swimmers welcome
Registration for the Langley Olympians Swim Club is ongoing, and those interested can call 604-532-5257 or visit www.langleyolympians.com for more details
Hyack placings
Below is a breakdown of the top placings at the 2017 Hyack Icebreaker Classic:
• First
– Hugh McNeill (13) – boys 12-13 200-metre backstroke and 400-metre freestyle
– Ayush Kaul (14) – boys 14-15 200-metre backstroke
• Second
– Mia Goretic (13) – girls 12-13 200-metre backstroke, 200-metre individual medley, and 400-metre freestyle
Piyush Kaul (11) – boys 11 and younger 100-metre backstroke and 200-metre backstroke
– Reese Blunden (14) – girls 14-15 200-metre individual medley
– Hugh McNeill (13) – boys 12-13 200-metre individual medley
• Third
– Reagen Bedard (14) – girls 14-15 100-metre freestyle
– Reese Blunden (14) – girls 14-15 400-metre freestyle
– Piyush Kaul (11) – boys 11 and younger 100-metre freestyle
– Hugh McNeill (13) – boys 12-13 100-metre freestyle
– Isobel McNeill (10) – girls 11 and younger 400-metre freestyle
– Katie Schroeder (11) – girls 11 and younger 100-metre freestyle
– Milana Solar (14) – girls 14-15 200-metre individual medley
