The Innisfail Dolphins swam their way to an outstanding season with 41 members advancing to this month's provincial championships – the highest number ever to qualify from the local club.
The Dolphins competed at the regional championships in Ponoka on Aug. 13 and 14 and the provincial championships in Edmonton Aug. 20 and 21.
“We had 47 kids go to regionals and we came out of there with 41 kids that qualified for provincials including the relays,” said Amy Andrew, coach of the local swim club.
“It's the highest qualification (number) this club has ever seen. I'm so happy for them. When wild cards came out today that's when we realized how many more swims (we had) at provincials,” said Andrew, noting 14 wild card spots. “We were fortunate enough to get a lot of spots there. That's 14 additional swims that we didn't know about at the end of regionals.”
The Dolphins recently wrapped up their regular season that runs from May to August every year. The club had 20 more kids register for swimming this season for a total of 73, noted Andrew.
The club's success at regionals included a second place overall, right behind Red Deer. First and second placed swimmers at regionals automatically qualified for the provincial championships.
“We went to provincials last year and we only took 32 kids. This year it's 41,” she said. “This is like our Olympics. To qualify for (provincials) is a big deal and we make it a big deal here,” explained Andrew. “They're really excited about provincials and watching the Olympics.”
The swimmers themselves were thrilled to have the opportunity to compete against hundreds of swimmers at the provincial level.
Reilly Dixon, 14, and her relay team qualified as alternates for provincials this year.
“I'm really happy because I didn't think that we would get to provincials,” said Dixon. “We worked really hard because we wanted to take a lot of time off (our swim times) so we could go to provincials. We had a lot of team work too.”
Teammate Carson Ogloff, 13, was just as happy with his performance at regionals and had high hopes for provincials as well.
“I did pretty good. I got two best times out of four swims and I'm pretty sure I'm seeded first in all my races,” said Ogloff, noting it's important to stay grounded while aiming for his goal at provincials. “I'm trying to get gold in all of my personal events.”
Andrew said she wanted to see alternates do well and all swimmers achieving their best times, putting their best effort into each and every race at provincials.
“If we can come out of there with medals, which we have high hopes of doing, that would be icing on the cake,” said Andrew. “If they win a gold medal at provincials they are the top swimmer for the Alberta Summer Swimming Association this year. That's a huge achievement.”
Amy Andrew, coach.
"This is like our Olympics. To qualify for (provincials) is a big deal and we make it a big deal here."
