The Olds Rapids concluded their season with three swim meets and the annual awards night.
The 60th annual Freeze or Fry (June 8 to 10) was represented by nine swimmers. Mitchell Ormann (15) completed rewriting all the 15-16-year-old long course club records and added five new all-time records bringing his total to 24 short course and long course. He won gold in 1,500 m Free, silver in 50, 100 and 200 Fly, 50 Breast, and 200 Free. Victoria Wagstaff (13) had a rocky start, being disqualified in the 400 IM again failing to secure the club record. Her next race made up for her disappointment by besting the long course 50 breaststroke club record set by Maegan Wild at the same meet last year to complete the 13-14-year-old long course breaststroke record sweep. Jazz Thompson (10) lowered her own club records in 100 and 200 Breast. She also got her provincial ‘A' time in 100 Breast de-qualifying her from provincial trials as a 10-year-old. However, Thompson was under the 11-year-old provincial standard in 400 IM and was allowed to compete in the tougher category. Because her birthday falls between provincial trials and championships, she would not have been allowed to compete at either if she was not successful at 400 IM.
Other medalists from Olds were Terrence Kelly (13) with gold in 100 Back and silver in 50 Fly, Wesley Wilks (11) with gold in 50 Breast, Caleb Fedyshyn (11) with bronze in 50 Breast, and Cole Urbanowski (13) with bronze in 400 Free. Urbanowski was also under the provincial standard in 400 Free, allowing him to compete the following weekend at Provincial Trials. Wesley and Caleb swam 50 Breast preliminaries Friday night and finals were scheduled for Sunday evening. The boys swam in Calgary Sunday morning and early afternoon at the Alberta Summer Games Trials, had just enough time to travel back to Red Deer and swim the final to win gold and bronze. Kate Amos enjoyed her first long course meet and has great expectations for next season.
The Alberta Summer Games Trials (June 10th) were hosted by a Zone 3 team in Calgary for Zone 2 and 3 athletes. The quality and depth of athletes trying for the Games in Lethbridge has improved in the last two years making our swimmers' chances of making the team tougher. The Olds team was represented by Kelly, Urbanowski, Wagstaff, Wilks and Fedyshyn. Despite great performances, the Olds swimmers walked away disappointed, only attaining four of the eight alternate positions. If a swimmer selected to the team withdraws, then Urbanowski, Wagstaff, Wilks and Fedyshyn will be contacted to make a substitution in their respective category and gender. All four swimmers were selected as alternates for their swims in 50 Free.
Alberta Age Group Trials were in Lethbridge on June 15 – 17.
Four swimmers represented the Rapids at trials in a chance to win an event and a chance to go to Provincial Championships. Jazz competed in the older age group and did not qualify for finals in the tougher age group. She was under the 10-year-old ‘A' time with a best time and nine- to 10-year-old club record for 50, 100 and 200 Breast. She was also just shy of the 100 free, 50 and 100 Fly club records. Urbanowski lowered Kelly's 800 Free 13-14-year-old club record by about one and a half minutes for his first record. He also swam best times in all of his races. Wilks won silver in 400 IM and bronze in 200 Fly. Kelly won silver in 400 IM, was fifth in 100 Fly, and seventh in 200 Breast.
The last night of swimming was open for friends and family for some free time in the pool and a hotdog supper. The night was concluded with the presentations of the awards. There were 55 new club records this year, not including records broken multiple times this season. The new club record holders, Ormann, Thompson, Kelly, Urbanowski, Wagstaff, Wilks, and Caleb, were presented their club sponsored T-shirts. Each swimmer that improved in sanctioned races received one jelly bean for every second taken off. Olds improved by 1,919 seconds this season with Kelly leading the way with 374 jelly beans. The most improved swimmer award was thus given to Kelly. Male swimmer of the year was Wilks for swimming all the toughest events at provincials and winning two medals. Female swimmer of the year was awarded to Thompson for winning bronze at short course provincials, breaking nine club records and getting her first three ‘A' times. The Karen Jenkin Memorial award for team spirit, attitude and work ethic was awarded to Caleb in the competitive group and Mikayla Thomson in the developmental group. Several visitors to the awards ceremony were impressed with the success of the season and how much fun the night was.
Olds returns to the pool in September. The pool is planning on shutting down during a crucial time at the beginning of the season, but training will continue at another facility until the pool reopens.
