Twenty-three swimmers with the Ponoka Gators swim club competed in provincials last weekend with several returning with medals and many placing in the top 10 of their categories.
Coach Jon Davies said many swimmers saw great improvement in their times and it showed in the overall results.
“One swimmer that stood out in terms of medals was Harbour (Lehocky),” said Davies.
She won a gold medal in the girls’ individual (9-10 year olds) 50m breaststroke category and two silver medals in the 100m individual medley and 25m breaststroke.
Davies was also proud of the performance of Lehocky and three other swimmers teamed up in relay events. Laura Wilson, Kate Hollingsworth and Aspen McTaggart earned gold medals in the U10 girls 100m medley relay and the 100m freestyle relay.
“Those four girls have been swimming together for four years now,” said Davies.
Coming into the provincial competition, the girls were ranked fourth in the medley relay and third in the freestyle relay and they were able to surprise competitors.
Davies said that while the girls were cautious about what their performance would be, he was sure they could win. He added they just needed the confidence for their ability to win.
Caleb Froese earned bronze medals in the 18-years-and-over 200m freestyle, 100m individual medley and 50m backstroke.
While there were no other medals won, Davies said there were improvements for many swimmers including Katelyn Korchinski, who was ranked 14th in the 13-14 year old girls 50m freestyle. She placed seventh in that event and fourth in the 100m and 50m breaststroke events.
Head coaches retiring Gators
Head coaches Davies and Megan Lewis are both retiring this year.
Davies said the parent executive and coaching team are ready for next year and he suggests anyone considering joining should be on the lookout for registration forms in March.
“These last four years have definitely been the most important and most lasting,” added Davies.
Lewis said she is most proud of developing a younger development group as a feeder team for the Gators.
“I’m so pleased where the team is to be setup for the next couple of years,” said Lewis.
She added the younger members will also have an easier transition when they start swimming more competitively.