The weekend of July 10-11 saw the Comox Valley Sharks host the first competition in B.C. with athletes from different swim teams in the last 16 months.
“The 130 Shark swimmers have been working hard in practice the past year but until this weekend all of their racing has been against teammates in their home pool,” said Sharks coach Tyler Lewall.
Six teams visited the Comox Valley from around the province and 80 swimmers had a chance to finally race swimmers from other teams again.
“With teams from Williams Lake, Richmond and around Vancouver Island it was truly a province-wide event,” said Lewall. “Although still following COVID-19 safety protocols, it was exciting to see athletes finally getting a chance to race and be rewarded for all the work they do day after day.”
For many of the athletes the results at this meet will be used for submitting times for the BC Championship meets being run virtually through the month of July.
Highlights from the weekend included three first-place finishes for 17-year-old Iris Tinmouth, in the 200 free, 100 fly and 200 IM, as well as three firsts for 15-year-old Nadia Macluskie, in the 50 free, 50 fly and 100 Free.
Other swimmers with multiple top-three performances included Sadie Williams (14) with a second in 50 fly and third-place finishes in 50, 100 and 200 free; Jordan Raume (16), first in 50 breast, second in 100 and 200 breast; Nathan Johnson (14), second in 50 free, third in 100 free; Grace Revenberg (16), first in 50 and 100 breast; and Sam Southen, 15, first in 50 back and third in 100 and 200 back.
“Although unconventional the 2020/21 season was a success for the Comox Valley Aquatic Club with record numbers of swimmers training and working hard throughout the season,” said Lewall.
Registration information for the 2021/22 season is now available and any questions can be sent to Lewall at cvsharksheadcoach@gmail.com.