The Kitimat Marlins Swim Club were in Kamloops from July 7 to 9 for the AAA provincial long course (50 metre pool) swimming championships.
The AAA Provincials is the highest provincial level meet for swimmers aged 11 to 18, and this year’s competition saw 500 swimmers from around B.C. and the Yukon in attendance.
To attend, swimmers must reach the tough AAA time standards in a minimum of three races in their respective age category.
The Marlins had four out of their six swimmers qualify for the meet, in attendance.
The four swimmers did very well, with three swimmers winning medals and three swimmers posting race times that ranked in the top 25 race times for their age in Canada this season.
Jadyn Johnston (12) competing in the 12 to 13 boys category had his best ranking in Canada in the 1,500 metre freestyle event. Johnston’s time at the provincial champs ranks him sixth fastest in Canada for 12 year old boys this season.
His time broke the 11 to 12 boys regional record in the event by seven seconds.
The old record was held by Dylan Evans from the Terrace Bluebacks Swim Club from 1996.
Jaydn placed fourth overall in the event and also broke the Northwest B.C. regional record in the 100 metre butterfly.
He shaved 2/100th of a second off the old record, held by Patrick Waters from Prince Rupert from 1998.
Johnston also took home two bronze medals in the 50 metre butterfly and the 1 km open water swim for 12 and under boys.
Finishing off his race results he placed fourth in the 50 metre backstroke, eighth in the 200 metre and 12th in the 400 metre individual medley, 14th in 400 freestyle and 16th in 200 backstroke.
Zachary Dumas (17) in his last meet as a Marlin before he leaves for the University of Victoria’s Vikings next season, had a great meet. Competing in the 16 to 18 boys category, Dumas achieved his best Canadian ranking in the 200 metre individual medley.
Dumas’ time from provincials was the seventh fastest in Canada this season for 17 year old boys and gave him the bronze medal at the swim meet.
His time also broke the Northwest B.C. regional record by four seconds. The old record was held by Bailey Esperson from Smithers set last season.
Esperson is also currently swimming with UVIC, so Dumas will join him as teammates next season.
Dumas also took the silver medal in the 400 metre individual medley, placed fourth in the 200 fly and fifth in the 1,500 freestyle.
He lowered his own Northwest B.C. regional records in all those races, as well lowering his own regional record in the 800 freestyle during his 1,500 metres free.
Dumas also placed eight in the 200 metre breaststroke and 14th in the 400 freestyle, and achieved two more junior national qualifying times in the 200 metre individual medley and 1,500 metre freestyle to go along with the 400 metre individual medley qualifying time he achieved earlier this season.
The three times allow him to compete at Canadian Junior National Championships this summer in Montreal if he wishes.
Grayden Rusconi (11), competing at his first AAA Provincial championships, had some great results in the 11 and under boys division.
His best result came in the 50 metre breaststroke where his time was the 22nd fastest time in the country for 11 year old boys.
He placed seventh overall in the event, seventh in the 100 metre breaststroke, sixth in the 50 metre backstroke and 15th in the 200 metre breaststroke.
Nolen Knox (13) also competed in his first AAA provincials in the 12 to 13 boys category.
Knox had his best result in the 50 metre butterfly, winning the bronze medal in the event.
He also finished 16th in the 200 metre butterfly.