The Campbell River Killer Whales have wrapped up their short course championship season for 2016/17.
CRKW sent 12 athletes to the top meet in the province, the Swim BC SC AAA Championship and seven qualifiers attended the BC AA Championship. Head Coach Jim Campbell had high expectations heading in for his team in both meets and they did not disappoint. When it comes to depth, BC swimming is second to none in Canada, making the successes the club achieved that much more impressive.
In total the Killer Whales brought home nine individual medals, three relay medals and just under 50 best times from the AAA’s at Saanich Commonwealth Pool, March 2-5.
The 11 swimmers on the women’s side finished five thin points out of the 41 clubs entered, behind only clubs that draw from the largest cities in the province.
Leading the team with five individual podium finishes and over a quarter of the club’s points was 11-year-old Summer Wenger. Entered in the maximum eight events, Wenger’s lowest finish was fourth, winning Silver in a closely contested 200 free final and Bronze in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 back and 200 back.
Teammate’s, 11-year-old Kaya Lathangue and 12-year-old Kara Beauregard combined for another large portion of the points. Beauregard swimming as the youngest in her age group, won Gold in the 400 free up against some of the top 13-year-olds in the country and swam to a very impressive Bronze in the 800 free, while breaking five individual club records along the way.
Lathangue swimming in the 11 and under category won Bronze in both the 400 and 800 free, had six top eight finishes and swam personal bests in each of her 13 swims throughout the week.
Other top individual point getters for the Killer Whales were Cianna Dunn swimming the 16 and over age group finishing 5th and 6th in the 100 and 200 back respectively, Jamiliya Wellard winning three B finals in the 100 fly, 200 fly and 50 free, Brooke Wenger with a seventh place finish in the 200 fly, making finals in each of her 7 events and AAA rookie Martina Montana finished seventh with a big swim in the 50 free final. Carson Dunn, Aleah Jordan and Ava Simard rounded out the club scoring, each making at least one top 16 finish with C.
Dunn going eight-for-eight best times in his events. Another AAA rookie Kira Dunn swam two best times and gained valuable experience for her bright future with CRKW.
The CRKW girl’s 12 and under relay team, which included Beauregard, S. Wenger, Lathangue and Montana, accomplished a rare feat by winning the Provincial title and new club record in the 4X200 free, Silver in the 4X50 medley and completed the hat trick winning Bronze in the 4X50 free. Incredibly, out of the combined 12 legs in the three relays, all 12 splits were best time swims for each of the girls. Melayna Beaudin was joined by Dunn, Wellard and B. Wenger in swimming the 2nd fastest 4X50 free senior time in club history.
The BC SC AA Championship took place two weeks prior in Chilliwack, where it was again an 11 year old leading CRKW. Ava Simard showed once again the Killer Whales are a hotbed of young talent in BC swimming. She swam to Silver in the 400 free and Bronze in the 800 free, had six top eight finishes, and qualified for her first ever AAA Championship.
Veteran Sydney Boyle was the club’s other top performer and point getter, making finals in five events in the 16 and over category, picking up three personal best’s, and coming heartbreakingly close to qualifying for the AAA’s. Nadia Klaue had an inspirational meet going personal best in four of her five events, which at 17 years old is a huge accomplishment. All qualifiers including Cole Reid, Sasha Jacobs, Maura Dybwad and Sofia Simard finished the meet with at least one best time and gained all important confidence as the club heads into the long course season.
Girls 12 and under triple medalist relay team. From left: Kaya Lathangue, Kara Beauregard, Summer Wenger, Martina Montana, Head Coach Jim Campbell.