The Castlegar Aquanauts swam in the first meet of the season on Saturday, June 8 in Grand Forks. Thirty swimmers attended, with great results.
Division 1 swimmer Avery Cooke broke a record in the girls 50m butterfly. Emma Lawczynski broke two div 4 girl records, one in 100m backstroke and another in 50m freestyle.
The division 6 boys records in 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke were beat by Jeffrey Ashton, and the girls division 6 freestyle relay record was broken by Ashlee Martini, Sierra Buchanan, Wren Shaman and Sophie Jansen.
Head Coach Nick Welychko was impressed with the outcome. “Almost everybody who swam at the meet achieved at least one best time,” said Welychko.
“There were several swimmers whose outstanding races resulted in significant best times.” A few examples of these best times are Elissa Centrone and Madison Kehoe who took off 26 and 21 seconds in the 50m butterfly, respectively. Ethan Marshall took off an astounding 47 seconds in the 6 and under 25m freestyle. His brother, James Marshall, took off 41 seconds in his 50m breastroke.
Many swimmers from the club managed to finish in the top 3 in their division.
Gold medals were awarded to Avery Cooke, Emma Lawczynski, Ashlee Martini and Jeffrey Ashton.
Silver medals were awarded to Corbin Anderson and Sophie Jansen, and Bronze to Logan Ogloff and Elissa Centrone.
Overall, the Aquanauts placed third in the meet.
Welychko predicts the Aquanauts will have another stellar summer.
“With Grand Forks being the first meet and seeing so many great swims,” concluded the coach. “I am eagerly anticipating the remainder of the season.”