The Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks attended their first international Junior Championship swim meet in Portland, Ore. on Dec. 12-14. The Sharks in attendance were Jordyn Ryan, Juliana Bartemucci, Ben Neufeld, Cole Young and Brooke Lamoureux.
This competition is known to attract top Canadian and international athletes. The fast-paced competition ensured athletes needed their best form during preliminary sessions to qualify top 16 to compete in finals.
Day 1 saw Jordyn Ryan narrowly miss the top 16 in the 200 breaststroke although in the process she smashed the current Sharks club record. Lamoureux (400 free) and Neufeld (50 backstroke) both qualified for the A final with new club records and saw Neufeld qualify for the Canadian trials early next spring.
Day 2 started with Ryan improving her own club record, in the 400 Individual Medley, to qualify 10th and then smashing her record by almost five seconds in the final. This was followed by Bartemucci posting a personal best in the 200 free.
Day 3 proved to be one of the most exciting days of racing with Young tying another competitor leading to a nail biting swim-off during the finals. Both Ryan and Lamoureux qualified top eight in the 200 butterfly, each breaking the club record and then tying each other in the final. The highlight of the night belonged to Lamoureux finishing fifth overall in the 800 freestyle and qualifying for Canadian trials, the highest level of competition.
The Sharks thank Bayview Chiropractic and Coastal Physiotherapy for their strong and on-going sponsorship and support. Together they, along with our greater Sharks' community of support, helped these competitors to set 20 club records at this meet.
Community support of our local amateur athletes is key in the development of healthy and successful kids. If you are interested in finding out more about opportunities for your child to swim with the Sharks or want to know about sponsorship opportunities contact us at www.sharks.bc.ca.
– Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks