There were lots of smiles. There were lots of cookies.
And there was an abundance of best times recorded when the Ponoka Pool Sharks Swim Club held its annual Cookie Classic meet Nov. 27 at the Ponoka Aquaplex.
Ten teams and more than 150 competitors took part in the event, with bakers Bill and Marlene Goodbun handing out some 700 cookies to swimmers who paddled their way to best times.
“The swim meet went really well and all Sharks were about 80 per cent best times,” said Sharks coach Bobbie-Joe Christensen. “We had one swimmer, Brigham Day, achieve his Provincial Meet Qualifying Time in the 400-metre free for the very first time, which was exciting to watch.”
The last event of the day was an eliminator round consisting of a 25-metre free swim for the top five swimmers in each age category. (8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 and over).
“It was a blast. The swimmers were competing for $50 prize baskets and I don't think I have ever seen swimmers, coaches, and fans get so excited for a fun little event,” adds Christensen. “Everyone was on their feet cheering — it was so much fun.”
Ten Sharks swimmers were involved in the eliminator round — and four won their age group competition.
The Ponoka winners were: Mckenna Christensen, 11-12 girls, Blake Shimp, 13-14 boys, Emily Allin, 15 and over girls, and Jonah Harvey, 15 and over boys.