The Kitimat Marlins swim club competed at the Prince George invitational swim meet over the weekend.
It was the first long course swim meet of the season (racing done in a 50 meter pool). The swim meet was large, with over 220 swimmers from Prince George, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Williams Lake, Chetwynd, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Grande Prairie, Fort Saint John and Quesnel in attendance. The Marlins had great results with five swimmers winning medals for overall points.
Gavin Thomopoulos, 10, competing in the 10 and under boys division had a great meet. Two events in the ten and under division (200 meter individual medley and 200 freestyle) were medal events and Thomopoulos took gold in both. Thomopoulos also placed first in all six of the other events he competed in and achieved another four AAA provincial times in the 11 and under boys’ division.
He now has eight events he qualifies for in this summer’s AAA Provincials in Kamloops.
Zachary Dumas, 17, took the gold medal in the 16 and over boys division for overall points. He also won $50 for his second place finish in the boys’ sprint eliminator competition.
Other medalists for the Marlins were Jayden Johnston; a silver in the 12 to 13 boys’ division, Charlotte Collier; a bronze in the 14 to 15 girls’ division and Lucas Johnston silver in the 10 and boys’ 200 meter freestyle.
Nolan Knox, 13, achieved his second AAA Provincial qualifying time in the 12 to13 boys’ 200 meter butterfly. Knox needs one more AAA provincial qualifying time and he will be eligible to attend the AAA Provincials this summer in Kamloops. Sadly Knox had to swim exhibition as his swim entries were late (through no fault of his own). His times in his eight individual events he swam would have been fast enough to take the bronze medal in the 12 to13 boys’ division.
The Marlins’ next swim meet is the second annual Rio Tinto northwest B.C. regional swim meet in Kitimat from May 12 to 14.