The Innisfail Dolphins took another run at the provincial championships that were held in Edmonton this month.
Fresh off a successful regional competition that saw the Dolphins take second place overall point-wise behind Red Deer, the local club qualified 23 swimmers in individual events and made the cut for nine relays as well. While the event was held in Lacombe the weekend of August 8 to 10, the Dolphins were the host team.
“We usually have a strong showing at regionals, and we do know that many records fell this year,” said Tammy Thompson, club registrar. “As a result, we had over half of our swimmers qualify for provincials, which is awesome. We have a strong team.”
Swimmers that qualified for further competition include Amy Andrew, Taylen Aulden, Anthony Chatwood as well as Bjorn, Mika and Kelly Eggink. Also going are Natasha Fehr, Faith and Josh Gette, Chandler Kaluzniak, Quinn Layden, and Matthew, Mischa, Wikie, and Zike Maree. Joining them are Keevyn Marston, Aiden and Liam Morgan, and Sydney Thompson.
The club will send relay teams in the 100 metre 8 & under Mixed Relay (MR) and Free Style (FR), 200 metre 12 & under and 17 & under MR and FR, and the 200 metre open MR and FR.
“Some of our swimmers will be hitting the pool in as many as six events such as Faith (Gette), Sydney (Thompson), and Mischa (Maree) over the weekend, which speaks of their skills,” said Thompson. “We are very proud of them.”
She added that swimmers could qualify for provincials by finishing in the top two or by becoming a wildcard qualifier, which is based on swimming times.
“This year, we had nine swimmers picked in different events as wildcards,” added Thompson. “Some of those kids were already going so this is another opportunity to medal.”
Going into the final swim weekend, the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club are ranked 10th in Alberta.
The provincial swim meet will be held at the Kinsmen Sport Centre in Edmonton from August 15 to 17. The Innisfail Dolphins are part of the Alberta Summer Swimming Association.
