The Ponoka Aquaplex was a busy place on the weekend of Dec. 10 and 11, as the Ponoka Pool Sharks hosted their annual Cookie Classic Swim Meet.
For years, the Cookie Classic has drawn clubs and swimmers from all over central Alberta to participate in all of the major swimming events; when swimmers beat their personal bests, they are awarded with a cookie, adding a fun twist on the regular swim meet routine.
This year’s event gathered 110 swimmers from as far away as Athabasca and Edson, while also drawing clubs from closer to home like Stettler, Red Deer, and Rocky Mountain House. The busy two days included 644 individual swims in 16 different events. The individual successes of so many swimmers meant that the Pool Sharks awarded 283 medals (117 gold, 89 silver and 77 bronze).
Of those, Ponoka won 35 gold, 30 silver and 16 bronze. The club gave away over 500 cookies to swimmer who beat their individual best time.
“Every year we receive so many compliments and comments about how the Cookie Classic is a definite favourite meet for so many swimmers. The kids have a lot of fun. I’m already looking forward to next year’s meet. It really is a labour of love for our club,” said Pool Sharks meet manager Mark Jorgenson.
“The Aquaplex is really full of life during swim meets. You bring that many swimmers, and that many spectators into such a small space, it becomes reminiscent of the days when the hockey rink in the old barn would be rocking on Saturday night. You simply don’t see that to the same degree when you visit bigger communities with bigger facilities. I think that’s something that makes this swim meet so special. And who doesn’t love cookies too?” said Pool Sharks president Rob McArthur.
While every Ponoka swimmer set best times in many of their events, top finishers in the boys were Graysen Jorgenson (134 points), Malachi Jorgenson (120 points), Nate Wilkins (113 points) Asher Peters (105 points) and Caleb Schumacher (94 points).
From the girls, it was Alyssa Peters (114 points), Brienna Cornelssen (106 points), Calah Jorgenson (105 points), Ainsley McArthur (102 points) and Belle Lydom (100 points).
“We had so many people who helped make this meet a success, once again,” said Mark Jorgenson.
- Submitted by the Ponoka Pool Sharks