DIDSBURY - Didsbury Aquajet swimmer Zac Jardine qualified for the Alberta Summer Swimming Association Provincial Championships after finishing first in 9-10 boys in 25 metre short backstroke and second in the 50 metre backstroke at the recent regional championships in Calgary.
Jardine was the only Didsbury swimmer to qualify although several other Aquajet swimmers had great results with many finishing in the top 10.
"The regional championships were a great opportunity for our swimmers to have one last chance to put three months of hard work at practice into action as they competed against the best in the region to vie for a spot to compete in the provincials," said club president Monika Rosenke.
"Of our 37 club swimmers who were eligible, we had eight sign up to compete at the Region E Championships held at the Repsol Sports Centre in Calgary on August 11 and 12."
Top 10 results at regionals for Didsbury Aquajet swimmers:
• Autumn Bates-Gardiner -- 6th place -- girls 11&12 50 metre short butterfly
• Chelsea Jardine -- 8th place -- girls 11&12 100 metre long backstroke; 8th place girls 11&12 50 metre short backstroke
• Lexi Jardine -- 10th place -- girls 11&12 50 metre short breaststroke; 9th place girls 12 & under 400 metre freestyle; 4th place -- girls 14 & under -- 200 metre long individual medley
• Maiya Rosenke -- 9th place -- girls 9 &10 100 metre short individual medley
• Girls 200 metre medley relay -- 3rd place -- Autumn Bates-Gardiner, Kira Quashie, Lexi Jardine and Chelsea Jardine
• Kadin Quashie -- 5th place -- boys 8 & under 50 metre long backstroke; 7th place -- boys 8 & under 25 metre short freestyle
• Zac Jardine -- 8th place -- boys 9 &10 100 metre long freestyle; 5th place -- boys 9 &10 50 metre short freestyle
• Piper Lundeen -- 5th place -- girls 9 & 10 200 metre freestyle; 4th place -- girls 9 &10 50 metre long butterfly
• Kira Quashie -- 7th place -- girls 9 &10 200 metre freestyle
Meanwhile, the Aquajets had 13 swimmers participate in the Canmore Swim Meet on July 27 and 28 to prepare for regionals.
"This meet was the last regular meet in our region," said Rosenke. "The judges at this meet focus a lot more on the stroke and turns to ensure that all swimmers that continue on to try out at the regional meet receive very little disqualifications for improper strokes and turns."
Rosenke said the swimmers also focused on improving their times. Placing in the top six from the Aquajets were:
• Brielle Smith -- 4th place -- girls 6 & U 25 metre flutter board -- 36.72
• Bailey Dombowsky -- 5th place -- girls 7&8 50 metre long backstroke -- 1:00.57
• Hilary Pawluck -- 6th place -- girls 11&12 100 metre long backstroke -- 2:38.93
• Chelsea Jardine -- 6th place -- girls 11 &12 50 metre short backstroke -- 42.11; 6th place - girls 11 &12 200 metre long freestyle -- 3:10.48
• Piper Lundeen -- 3rd place -- girls 12 & U 400 metre long freestyle -- 7:29.39
• Erin Black -- 6th place -- girls 13 &14 100 metre long breast -- 1:51.78
• Lexi Jardine -- 2nd place -- girls 17 & U 1,500 metre long freestyle -- 29:51.38
• Zac Jardine -- 6th place -- boys 9 &10 100 metre long freestyle -- 1:34.41; 6th place -- boys 9 &10 200 metre long freestyle -- 3:30.15
