The Columbia Shuswap Selkirks Swim Club had an exceptionally successful weekend at the Summer BC Interior and Northern Divisionals in Kelowna.
The club sent 12 swimmers (double the number that went to winter divisionals) to the June 23-25 event, which is a testament to the hard work and commitment the athletes have shown this season. Eleven club records were broken with the number of swimmers qualifying for BC Summer Provincials rising from three to seven.
Selkirks swimmers made a total of 39 individual finals while competing against some of the best in the Interior and Northern B.C., medaling 15 times. Their mixed 11-12 4x100 medley relay competitors won a gold by over four seconds, and the boys 13-12 4x50 medley relay won silver medal despite having two 12-year olds swim up to race.
Swimmers who received at least one medal include: Nikola Louw, Mckenzie Mcknight, Eric Moore, Finn Skofteby, Clara Tracy, Dane Bach, Marrin Harwood and Felix Leyenhorst.
Gold medalists include: Nikola Louw, Finn Skofteby and Felix Leyenhorst. Additional medalists (relay medals): Ben Perkins.
Other meet highlights include:
• Marrin Harwood dropped a whopping 14 seconds off of her prelims swim in the final of the 200 fly to qualify for provincials for the first time.
• Nikola Louw and Felix Leyenhorst both claimed Divisional titles in their first ever Divisional championship meet. Mckenzie Mcknight also found the podium on three occasions at her first Divisionals.
• Tegan Konge and Eric Moore wrapped up their Selkirks careers at the meet. Their leadership and positivity will be sorely missed next year as they head off to their next chapters at SFU and UofC.
“Watching these kids develop over the course of the season has been an honour and a privilege,” said coach Sam Barkwell. “They have worked hard all season for the opportunity to represent themselves and the Selkirks on this stage, and they should be incredibly proud of their performances. The future of swimming in Salmon Arm is in great hands with these athletes.”
Next up is the BC Summer Provincials at UBC July 12-16, 2023. This will be Barkwell’s last meet with
the Selkirks.
Submitted.
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