It was a best-ever finish for the Salmon Arm Sockeyes at the Okanagan Regional Championships this weekend, taking first place at the Championships — the first time in their 41-year history.
Sockeyes also brought home the top junior team, top girls team, and top boys team titles. The Sockeyes had 49 Provincial qualifiers, meaning they have an opportunity to compete at the BCSSA Provincial Championships in Richmond later in August.
Numerous regional records were broken this weekend. Chantel Jeffrey broke the 100-metrefreestyle record from 1999 and the 50-m backstroke record from 2009 in division two girls.
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko broke the 1993 100-m individual medley record and the 50-m backstroke record from 1989. Matthew Nesdoly out-touched Izik-Durko on the 50-m backstroke, earning him the record-holder title, replacing the division three boys’ record from 1989.
Eliza Jane Kitchen broke teammate Carmen Underhill’s record from 2009 in the division five girls’ 100-m breaststroke. Underhill set a new record in the division six girls’ 100-m breaststroke, the previous record from 1996.
Brayden Gilliam went home with two records, the division five boys’ 100-m butterfly record from 1996 and the 100-m backstroke record from 2005. Jake Kitchen smashed the division seven boys’ 100-m breaststroke record from 1997. The division two girls’ medley relay broke the record from 2009. On the team were Aria Izik-Dzurko, Chantel Jeffrey, Emma Levins, and Meghan Hart.
Many Sockeyes had outstanding swims in Kelowna. Jon Wex, Samantha Wex, Natajsha Nesdoly, and Carly Pullin all had an excellent meet with several best times.
Alexander Corbett swam his way to best times in every event, taking off multiple seconds in most races. Julia Hart had numerous finals swims with many best times.
Rowan Trow had excellent technical swims resulting in several best times.
Ben Novakowski had excellent sportsmanship throughout the meet, with great racing. Eric Moore qualified for provincials at only six-years-old, making it on to the division one boys’ regional relay.