The Salmon Arm Sockeyes Swim Club cleaned up at the Okanagan Regionals qualifying meet on the long weekend in Kamloops.
Out of 50 swimmers who took part in this event, 44 swimmers came home with a medal for having a top three finish.
The Sockeyes took the top place boys and girls teams, leading to an overall finish of first for the second year in a row. Additionally, the Sockeyes were awarded top average points per swimmer with 64.8, showing the quality of swimming performances that were present for this team.
First time qualifiers in individual events include Julia Hart in 50 back, Andrew Hall in 100 IM, Emma Levins in 50 fly, Sam Wex in 50 and 100 fly, and David Brown in 100 back.
Leading the team in their amazing performance was division 2 boy, Stephen Moore, with four gold medals and four records in his events of 100 IM, 50 fly, 50 breast and 100 free. Keeya Corbett, won gold in 100 IM, 50 fly, 50 back and 100 free in division 2 girls. In division 5 boys, Brayden Gilliam also won four gold in his events of 50 and 100 free and 50 and 100 fly. In division 6 girls, Eliza-Jane also won quadruple gold in 200 IM, 100 fly, 100 back and 100 breast.
Both Julianne Moore and Matthew Bushell took gold in three of their 4 qualifying events in division 1. Brothers Rowan Trow and Jamie Trow medaled and qualified for all four events in their own divisions.
Teammates Chantel Jeffrey and Claire Hall both had outstanding performances in the competitive division three girls category and managed to each qualify in four events. Jeffrey added another two records to her season with amazing times in the 50 fly and back.
Even with some tight competition in division 3 boys, Sunny Pickup qualified for all of his events. Emma-Leigh Chapman had her best meet of the year to qualify in all of her division 4 individual events. The division four boys Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Matthew Nesdoly, and Matt Cooper qualified in all events as well.
Tricia Fair qualified and had two golds and two silvers in division 5 girls.
In division 5 boys, Alexander Corbett continued to prove himself as a strong competitor in the 200 IM with a gold and a best time and also medalled in his other events. Jon Wex, also medaled in all four events in division 6 boys.
These swimmers, along with Eric Moore, Connor Levins, Aria Izik-Dzurko, Ty Bushell, Gaelyn Gilliam, Abbie Nesdoly, Georgia Kehl, and Meghan Fair who medaled in one or more individual event, are now in preparation to swim at Provincials in Nanaimo from August 16 to 19.
The Sockeyes will additionally send thirteen relays made up of these swimmers to compete in 200 medley and freestyle events.
Twenty Sockeyes have also been chosen to compete on the Okanagan’s “All-Star” regional medley relay teams, for having the top stroke in their respective divisions.
