The Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks started their 2012-2013 competitive season with a non-sanctioned relay meet in Campbell River.
Forty-two Sharks attended the meet which saw an additional 220 swimmers from all over the Island compete. It was loud and exciting. For many it was their first swim meet and a great time was had by all who attended. Congratulations to all the coaches who did such a great job of preparing their swimmers and thanks to the parents who supported their swimmer(s).
The first sanctioned meet was held Oct. 27-28 in Nanaimo. It was the Riptides Fall Invitational and 28 Sharks attended. Naturally some of CVAC's better swimmers did their thing and placed very well: Joyce Arends (a new import from Saskatchewan) did a great job with two gold and four silver.
Juliana Bartemucci showed strongly with three gold and two bronze. Brooke Lamoureux took off a whopping 45.03 seconds in her 200 breaststroke and added four silver and two bronze. Ben Neufeld continued his winning ways with three gold and one bronze – not bad considering he swam only one day of the meet. Jordyn Ryan added a bronze in the 200 breast.
The big story of the meet was the amazing amount of best times as 15 swimmers posted 100 per cent BTs: Tyra Arends, Amelia Elder, Jamie Elder, Alec Huisamen (also picked up a gold in the 100 IM), Geoffrey Hynds, Yuriah Kaska, Ava Kendrick, Alexey Kormarov-Shute, Sara Matthews, Eden Nowak, Connor O'Hara, Rafe Perry, Brendan Sharp, Emily Verret, and Aiden Webber (who garnered three silvers too).
In the relays, the senior girls (Brooke, Emma, Juliana, and Joyce) won both the 200 medley and the 200 free. The boys 13/14 relay (Ben, Ethan, Josh and Connor) won the 200 free while (Connor, Alex, Brendan, and Geoffrey) picked up a bronze in the 200 medley.
Every swimmer posted BTs. "I did not expect such fast swimming from the top squad," said head coach Albert Burgund. "I have been working them very hard and had given them just a small amount of rest." What I really liked is how the swimmers are stepping up and having such success in their 'off events' - the ones that are not their best stroke or distance. It is a sure sign that they are developing their repertoire."
Coach Scott commented, "Wow! This is far better than in practice. My swimmers have really set the bar high for the next meet. I know now just what they are capable of and my expectations in workout will be adjusted accordingly."
– Comox Valley Aquatic Club Sharks