The Campbell River Killer Whales were in the pool again this weekend, with 10 of our fastest Killer Whales competing at the Mel Zajac International in Vancouver, with another group of swimmers attending the Island Medley Challenge in Victoria.
Both groups swam very fast at both three day meets, with some amazing results coming from all the swimmers that competed.
Island Medley Challenge was led by some of the younger Killer Whales on the team, with stand out performances coming from Maya Ruehlen, Brooke Wenger, Summer Wenger, Kaya Lathangue and Regan Moreau. Ruehlen had a very successful weekend of racing, making eight out of nine finals, and swimming best times every time she got in the pool. Swimming some of the hardest events in the sport including, the 200 Butterfly, 800 Freestyle, and 400 IM, Ruehlen handled her schedule like a pro, and was a great leader over the weekend, setting a great example to our younger swimmers, on how to put together great performances.
Meanwhile, the Wenger sisters were at it again, with Brooke Wenger winning seven of her nine events, and showing everyone that she will be a force to watch in upcoming seasons. Summer Wenger had a fantastic weekend at the pool, making five finals over the weekend, which is very impressive considering she is a nine-year-old competing in an 11-and-under category. She also swam her first 200 butterfly, showing a lot of toughness for such a young swimmer.
Kaya Lathangue, who is coming off a great performance at the 10 and Under Championships which the team attended on the May 9 and 10 weekend, had another spectacular weekend at the pool. Lathangue is becoming a quick little freestyler, placing in the top eight in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 Freestyle.
Regan Moreau gave the team one of the most exciting races of the weekend in the 400 Freestyle, dropping 19 seconds during prelims and finals. Moreau had a great race in the morning dropping eight seconds, earning himself a spot in the final. With his team behind him Moreau dropped another 11 seconds in finals, earning his first AA standard, and is on the road to attending the AA Provincial Championships at the end of the season.
Great swims also came from Nadia Klaue, who achieved her two AA times, and is now qualified for the Provincial Championships. Jesse Shade, Ava Simard and Sofia Simard, also had stand out meets, with some great performances over the course of the weekend.
At the Mel Zajac International meet at UBC, CRKW swam to some impressive early season results, highlighted by the two Padington sisters qualifying for a number of second swims in a very competitive and fast field.
Taylor Padington qualified for three finals in the 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 100 backstroke. In the 100 backstroke, she took three seconds off of her seed time to move up 15 spots to a final position.
Mackenzie Padington, fresh off an incredible short course season, continued to show how bright her future is in the sport with four finals and winning a medal in the 200 Freestyle.
Mackenzie was focusing on some different races than usual and went a best time in the 200 Freestyle to beat out a number of National team members for a bronze medal.
Jamiliya Wellard had a breakout swim in the 50 Butterfly on the first day moving up 18 spots and making the final. Wellard was the youngest swimmer in the finals that night at only the age of 13 racing against 25 year olds.
It was a great meet that allowed for CRKW race against some of the best in Canada, USA, Peru, and Mexico.