By Julia Gow, Revelstoke Aquaducks
The Revelstoke Aquaducks finished the 2016 season last weekend at the BC Summer Swimming Provincials in Coquitlam. With 32 swimmers, they endured a few of the hottest days of summer in an outdoor pool with several hundred other swimmers from around the province.
Leading the way was Beth Granstrom, who won all of her four individual races and set new summer swim provincial records in three of them. James LeBuke finished first in three individual races and his time in the 100 metre breaststroke set a new provincial record.
Nolan Gale, along with LeBuke and two other Okanagan swimmers, set a new provincial record in the 200 metre regional medley relay.
Seven of the Aquaducks came home with some shiny hardware:
Kayln Gale, Division 3, 100m freestyle — 3rd
Kale Jay, Division 3, 200m medley regional relay (backstroke leg) — 3rd
Hunter Stewardson, Division 4, 100m breaststroke — 2nd
Brynn Hoshizaki, Division 5, 200m individual medley — 2nd
James LeBuke, Division 5, 200m IM — 1st; 100m breaststroke — 1st; 100m backstroke — 1st; 200m medley regional relay (breaststroke leg) — 1st; 50m freestyle — 2nd
Nolan Gale, Division 5, 50m freestyle — 3rd; 100m freestyle — 2nd; 200m medley regional relay (freestyle leg) — 1st
Beth Granstrom, Division 6, 100m freestyle — 1st; 100m backstroke — 1st; 100m butterfly — 1st; 200m IM — 1st
Once in a while, when two swimmers tie to the one-hundredth of a second, they compete again in a swim-off if their placing was eighth or 16th. Bence Berkenbosch did so in the Division 2 50m breaststroke. He won the swim-off, allowing him the 16th place spot in consolation finals. From there he bumped up to ninth place by winning the consoles.
Also signalling the end of summer was the year end awards and potluck, which were held last week to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of the swimmers:
Most Improved Swimmer: Senior Girl – Sophia Humphreys; Senior Boy – Tye Hoshizaki; Junior Boy – Devyn Maddison; Junior Girl – Lauryn Holland.
Most Outstanding Swimmer: Senior Girl – Brynn Hoshizaki; Senior Boy – James LeBuke; Junior Girl – Kenadie Stefura; Junior Boy – Kale Jay.
Leadership Award: Alex Jay
Coaches Award: Junior – Amanda Thurlow, Senior – Anna Pfeiffer
Most Sportsmanlike: Senior – Erik Brosch; Junior – Emma Mair.
Stroke and Style: Senior – Devyn Gale; Junior – Morgan Stefura.
Scholarship Awards: Bailey LeBuke, Bryce Molder
Congratulations to all Aquaducks on a fantastic season. A special send-off to graduate Bailey LeBuke who is off to the University of Alberta in the fall. The coaches would wish to thank her for her positive influence on the team as a swimmer and a junior coach. Good luck, Bailey!
From now until next May the Aquaducks will be in winter maintenance mode, allowed to swim no more than two hours per week as per the BC Summer Swimming rules. Some will be in the pool and some will be busy in other sports, all great ways to better themselves for next summer!