The Penticton Pikes smashed records en route to podium finishes at the B.C. Summer Swimming Association provincials.
Of the seven members competing, three won nine gold, one silver and one bronze medal in Victoria last weekend.
Ryan McMillan swam the 100 IM, 50-metre freestyle, 50-m fly and the 100-m free, winning all four. He broke two long-standing provincial records. In the 100 IM, he cut five seconds from his time and broke a 2006 record.
In the 50-m freestyle, he narrowly missed a 23-year-old record by 0.07 seconds after cutting his time by a second. In his final event, the 100-m freestyle, Ryan was entered with a 1:15.21. The record from 1999 was 1:14.51, which Pikes coach Cole Midtdal watched him shatter in 1:11.9.
McMillan’s sister Ashley also had a spectacular meet, said Midtdal. She put up best times in the 100IM, 50-m freestyle and 100-m freestyle. She took first in those events and the 50-m breast stroke and broke two long-standing provincial records.
“Her 100 IM went very well,” said Midtdal.
In the 50-m freestyle, Ashley set a goal of 30 seconds and a provincial record.
“She swam her heart out and managed to go a 29.89,” said Midtdal.
She faced tougher competition in the 100-m freestyle. Positioned third into the finals, she pulled away from the pack and destroyed her best time. She came out with a 1:04.9, breaking the 19-year-old record and winning gold.
Also getting onto the podium was Simon Paisley. Midtdal said Paisley “swam exceptionally this weekend with all personal bests.”
He was fifth in the province for the 50-m freestyle going into the final and ended up in second in 24.66 seconds. In the 100-m fly, he was able to move up from seventh to fifth with the help of two best times. In the 100-m backstroke, he was second heading in.
The work put in over the month resulted in him winning gold.
“The whole team was excited when Simon touched the wall in first place, taking off two seconds in his race,” he said. “It was his first ever gold medal at summer swimming provincials. His 50-m butterfly was fantastic as well, where he managed to take off almost an entire second and placed third in the province.”
Simon’s brother TJ earned best times in his race and to make finals. Ben Say competed with a broken toe, an injury sustained during practice. He pushed through to earn best times.
“I couldn’t have been happier with how he performed, seeing as he was obviously in pain during the races,” said Midtdal.
Ben was also on the division 5 regional relay as the breaststroker for his team. His brother Anders picked up best times in the 50-m freestyle and butterfly, trimming time from both. Midtdal said the personal best were good accomplishments.
Hanna Marsh-deBoer had a great meet while feeling nerves in her first provincials. She trimmed times from the 50- and 100-m freestyle.
David Paisley and Aidan Neilson attended in the medley and freestyle relay with Ben Say and Simon Paisley. Both had strong performances with best times. The relay team reached finals and placed in the top 5.
“It was an absolutely amazing weekend for the Pikes. Every swimmer showed up ready to give it their all. I could not have been more happy or impressed with how everyone performed.”
