CARSTAIRS/DIDSBURY - A pair of local athletes did very well recently at the Western Canada Summer Games in Swift Current recently.
Wesley Wilks of Didsbury and Sarah Schmick of Carstairs won multiple medals including gold in Special Olympics swimming.
Wilks won gold in all six of his categories: 100 metre backstroke, 50 metre breaststroke, 50 metre butterfly, 100 metre freestyle, 50 metre backstroke and 50 metre freestyle.
Wilks said the Western Canada Summer Games were very exciting.
"It was thrilling to win six gold medals," he said. "It really was exciting to win all the events that I had entered."
Wilks said he thought he would do well but never expected six for six.
"I wasn't sure how I would place but I was fairly confident that I could make the podium," he said.
Wilks said the games were a new experience for him. He enjoyed swimming in the six lane by 50 metre pool.
"The people I swam against were pretty fast and they were also very nice before and after the race," he said. "I prepared for the games by swimming twice a day and watching what I ate in order to feel full of energy for the competition day."
Wilks also got the honour of being one of the two banner carriers for Team Alberta at the opening ceremony.
"It was a huge highlight of the games for me," he said. "The second favourite part was having a relay at the Western Canada Summer Games and winning first in it. The relay was the mixed 4X100 metre medley relay-exhibition event. Because it was an exhibition event there were no medals awarded for it."
Wilks said having the relay showed that Special Olympics athletes were capable of participating in relays at competitions like the Western Canada Summer Games or Canada Summer Games, as before they were not able to.
"It was truly exhilirating to be on the same relay team as my fellow Team Alberta Special Olympics friends," he said.
Wilks has trained for the past year with Special Olympics Olds, coached by Lynn Lewis; Olds Summer Club - Olds Rogues Racing Club, coached by Clint Stevens; and Different Strokes Masters, coached by Bill Culham. He has also trained in the past with Graeme Gordon with the Olds Rapids.
Gordon said he's not surprised by Wilks' success.
"I have always been proud of Wesley," said Gordon. "He is a true teammate and competitor."
Gordon coached Wilks to his first provincial meet where he won several medals before joining Special Olympics.
"A few years later, we were at trials in 2015 for the Western Canada Games and he just missed out on qualifying," said Gordon. "That meet allowed us to make some long term plans including qualifying for Special Olympics nationals and the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg."
Wilks is now setting his sights on qualifying for the 2021 Canada Summer Games, which will be held in the Niagara region of Ontario.
"The qualifiers for these games will be held between December 2020 and March 2021," he said. "I will be training at least one time per day, and occasionally twice a day, to help prepare for the 2021 Canada Summer Games."
Schmick won gold in 50 metre breaststroke, silver in 100 metre freestyle and 100 metre backstroke, and bronze in 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre backstroke and 50 metre butterfly.
Schmick told the Gazette she was very excited about doing so well.
"I'm very happy!" said Schmick. "I am proud of myself!"
Sarah's mother, Susan, said it was great to see her daughter do so well.
"It was very exhilarating to see her attain a personal best time and win a gold medal in the event that challenges her the most: the 50 metre breaststroke," said Susan.
Schmick said she had a great time at the Western Canada Games. She added there was some very good competition at the event.
"There were lots of fast swimmers and lots of busy days," said Schmick. "It was fun. My coaches are very nice. I liked racing and doing well. Team Alberta is great. The opening ceremony was fun.
"The city of Swift Current hosted an outstanding Western Canada Summer Games and the many volunteers worked diligently to ensure it ran smoothly," said Susan.
To train for the games, Schmick practised a lot and ate healthy food. She trained with Olds Rapids head coach Cecilia Wessels three to four times a week throughout the summer to ensure she was well prepared for the games.
During the 2019/20 swim season, Schmick swam with the Olds Rapids and also swam with Special Olympics Airdrie.
"We are grateful to both teams and her many amazing coaches for their tremendous support," said Susan.
Schmick is taking a break from the pool now to enjoy the rest of summer but will return to the pool in September to train once again, always focusing on having fun and improving technique and personal best times."
"Sarah will compete at swim meets throughout the 2019/20 season in order to qualify for Swim Alberta Championships, which are held in March and July 2020," said Susan. "The next big event will be competing in the 2021 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games in hopes of qualifying for the 2022 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games."
Susan added that her daughter has been overwhelmed by all the support and positive encouragement she has received from family, friends, coaches, teammates, pool staff and the local communities.
"Thank you everybody!" said Sarah.
