During the past weekends the Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks have been busy racking up best times, breaking records, and making firsts.
On the Jan. 7-8 weekend Ben Neufeld was competing at the Pacific Coast All-Star Meet in Walnut Grove, B.C. He was selected to the Swim BC All-Star Team based on his performance in the backstroke and as such represented B.C. at this highly competitive meet featuring teams from Washington, Oregon, and California.
"The competition was tough, but Ben won a bronze medal in the 50 backstroke. He also broke three club records: the 50 fly, 50 back, and the 50 breast. Congratulations Ben and keep up the good work," said Sharks coach Albert Burgund.
The Vancouver Regional Championships were held in Nanaimo on Jan. 20-22, and 15 Sharks attended. Ethan Ashley made 100 per cent best times and swam to one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
Juliana Bartemucci swam to a silver medal in the 200 breaststroke. Brooke Lamoureux had a spectacular meet swimming to four Age Group National Times, 100 per cent best times, and a medal haul that included one gold, two silvers, and two bronze. She is now ranked for a spot on the Prospects West Training Camp to be held at Olympic Trials in Montreal on March 26-30.
Neufeld, suffering a cold, managed to break his own club record in the 50 freestyle and pull in three gold and one silver medal. Emma Neufeld swam an AAA qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke which she had been working on.
Isaac Lepine, swimming in the 10 and Under category, swam 100 per cent best times, won a bronze medal in the 50 butterfly, and made top-eight placing in all his other events. Ten-year-old Nyomi Guay knocked a whopping 28.45 seconds off her 200 freestyle best time.
Josiah Ney, who travels to Courtenay from Gold River to practise, surprised himself by making the AAA standard in the 100 backstroke – a testament to his hard work and determination, Burgund noted. Jordyn Ryan swam excellently ending the weekend with two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. Gabrielle Wolfe swam 100 per cent best times and is now ranked #1 in B.C. in her age group in the 200 butterfly. She also completed her first 400 Individual Medley in a top-eight placing and made the AAA qualifying standard.
Also competing were Julian Gould who coaches the Sharks School, Dustin Raume who made 100 per cent best times, and Megan Rousseau who made the AAA standard in her new age group.
"Congratulations to all swimmers for making this an awesome meet," said Burgund. "Thank you to all of our sponsors and the people of the Comox Valley who support our swimmers and our club. For more information and complete results, visit our website: www.sharks.bc.ca."
– CVAC Sharks