Rapids swimmer Angela Lowther turned some heads at the 2016 Canadian Para-Swimming Trials in Toronto last week.
Lowther, from Crossfield, is only 16 years old and surprised even herself with her performance at the meet, finishing seventh in the 200-metre freestyle and sixth in the 100-m breaststroke B Final. She also competed in the 50-m freestyle but did not qualify for the final.
"I think they were pretty shocked. They didn't think I could have done as well and I think I blew them out of the water and I exceeded their expectations," Lowther said.
"(Rapids coach) Graeme (Gordon) helped me a lot. He showed me more techniques that I improved on. He was also there to encourage me. Everyone was very supportive, so I have to give a huge thanks to my coach."
Lowther said she was nervous for the competition, held at the recently-constructed Toronto Pan Am Sport Centre. But she regained her composure once she approached the water.
"The first day I was really nervous because I didn't know what to expect and didn't know what to do," she said.
"For warmups, I saw it as just another swim meet, just with more people there."
Lowther won't be Rio-bound this year with Canada's Paralympic team but is looking toward the 2020 Games. Until then, she and her brother Ian, who also swims for the Rapids, will train for the Canada Summer Games in 2017.
"The national coach that evaluated her back in November is impressed with her progress and is talking about how we need to get her and her brother to the Canada Summer Games," Gordon said.
"I think they were pretty shocked. They didn't think I could have done as well and I think I blew them out of the water and I exceeded their expectations." ANGELA LOWTHER, Olds Rapids
