After another successful summer season, the Blue Devils swimmers and parents were delighted to come together to celebrate the swimmers’ accomplishments and initiate an executive for 2013.
“As with all sports, parents and swimmers were reminded that kids need encouragement – not everyone can win an award but all can achieve best times and to make this their goal and feel pride in their own successes,” a Blue Devils’ spokesperson noted.
For the first time, there was a tie for the club’s most prestigious award: Beverley Jolley and Emily Mirabelli are co-recipients of the Herb Bradley Award, named for the club’s first coach who founded the club in 1948.
The award goes to a swimmer in Grades 10 to 12 who is dedicated to the sport, shows team spirit, is a good role model, team leader and contributes to club activities. The award comes with a generous bursary donated by Budget Brake and Muffler owners Darryl and Beverley Chalk.
Aggregate Awards (Given to swimmers who accumulate the most points from placing 1-6 in three different swim meets over the season):
Div. 2 (Boys) Kyle Crewe, (Girls) Abby McDowell.
Div. 3 (Girls) Zoe McDougall, runner-up Myia Dunn. (Boys) Sam Helpard, runner-up Jarrod Lehman.
Div. 5 (Girls) Emma Rudolph, runner-up Sydney Kuhnert. (Boys) Caleb Clarke.
Div. 6 (Girls) Emily Mirabelli, runner-up Jenna Kuhnert. (Boys) Spencer McDougall, runner-up Alex Kussauer.
Div. 7 (Girls) Emily Glowach.
Most-Improved Swimmer: Development -Taija Graham; Junior – Bryce Benton; Senior – Spencer McDougall.
Rookie of the Year: Ava Webb.
True Blue Award (given to swimmers who are excellent role models with positive attitudes, and who encourage and support all swimmers): Junior – Evan Barker and Abby McDowell. Senior – Kyla DeWitt and Ben Helpard.
Club Record: Congratulations to Sam Helpard who broke the club record for 50 free set by Peter Crawford in 1997. Sam also had a third-place finish at the Provincials.
“Congratulations to all the swimmers and many thanks to the executive, coaches and parents, without whom the club would not be so successful,” the spokesperson said.
For more information, click on bluedevilsswimclub.com.
– Comox Valley Blue Devils
