Well over 300 swimmers from B.C. and Yukon were in attendance at the AA long course (50 meter pool) Provincial championships in Victoria.
To attend, swimmers needed to reach the AA Provincial time standard in two swim races and have achieved one or less of the higher AAA Provincial time standard.
With this in mind racing at the AA championships is always close and exciting. Five of the seven members of the Kitimat Marlins who had qualified for the AA provincial champs were in attendance.
Leah Desousa (11) competing in the girls 11 and under age group took two golds and a bronze medal.
She took the gold in the 100 meter and 200 meter butterfly.
During her gold medal swim in the 100 fly she achieved her second AAA provincial time standard. This qualifies her for the AAA Provincial champs in Victoria.
Desousa took the bronze medal in the 400 IM as well as a 5th in the 200 meter backstroke. Desousa swam 100 per cent personal best times at the competition.
Gabriel Lamarre (12) competing in the boys 12-13 age group achieved 100 per cent personal best times and had his best placings in the 1500 meter freestyle and 200 meter breaststroke. Both events he finished 11th overall.
Laurence Boucher (13) competing in the 12-13 girls division had her best placing in the 800 meter freestyle 15th overall. Laurence swam five out of six personal best times.
Vanessa Lamarre (14) competing in the 14 and over girls division had her best finish in the 400 IM with a 16th place finish. Vanessa swam 100 per cent personal best times.
Charlotte Collier (11) competing in the 11 and under girls division swam to 100 per cent personal best times and had her best placing in the 100 freestyle with a 20th place.
– Submitted
