The Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks and Campbell River Killer Whales came together to form the North Island Predators to compete at the June 21-23 B.C. AA Long Course Provincial Championships.
With 15-swimmer squad was small but mighty and seemed to be getting up on the podium almost every other race.
Friday started with an exciting swim by CRKW’s Maya Ruelen, who achieved her AAA standard in the 800 freestyle, which is one of the longest races in the pool. This was the first medal for the Predators, but would not be the last.
CVAC swimmer Emma Neufeld also ended up on the podium Friday night with an amazing race in the 200 IM, placing second in the senior girls category. It was a lifetime best time for Emma.
Emma also placed third in the 50 freestyle and was not done there. In her last race of the night, and in one of her best events, Emma rose to the occasion and took second in the 100 backstroke with another lifetime best time.
The second day at the championships proved just as exciting as the first, with another AAA qualifying standard met by CRKW swimmer Jocelyn Diemer in the 200 breaststroke as she swam her way to a second spot finish. The Predators now have 28 swimmers qualified for the AAA Long Course Provincial Championships that will be happening July 4-7 at UBC.
The second night of the meet was Ethan Ashley’s time to shine with a silver medal in the 100 freestyle and a gold in the 400 freestyle. Ethan started with a huge swim in the 100 freestyle, taking off over two seconds, and moving from fifth to second to make it on the podium. He was up next in the 400 freestyle and with a huge best time won the event by almost 25 metres.
The Predators carried their momentum through to the last day of the meet. With another AAA qualifying standard met by Ashley in the 200 freestyle, the number of Predators qualified for the AAA Provincial Championships jumped to 29, which is the biggest team that has ever been sent to the meet.
Joshua Dolman had qualified for two finals going into the last night of the meet, starting off with the 200 freestyle. Making a huge improvement from his morning swim, Joshua stayed in the race the entire way, placing fifth overall, moving up a spot from his morning swim.
Joshua was the last Predator to swim on the third night, and had his best race of the weekend with a fifth-place finish in the 200 backstroke and a lifetime best.
It was a great weekend overall for all the North Island Predators, and a great end to the season for all the AA swimmers. Next up for the Predators is the AAA LC Championships at UBC, followed by the Senior National Championships and the Age Group National Championships at the end of July.
– North Island Predators
