The Athabasca Rapids Swim Team continue to perform their skills quite well.
Members recently competed at a pair of invitational swim meets in Fort McMurray on April 29 and in Grande Prairie on May 4 to 6.
Head coach Janet Kamelchuk said some players won medals at each event.
"There were lots of first, second and third place finishes at each event," said Kamelchuk. "In fact, most of them finished in the Top Five. When you consider the fact that they were competing with the top provincial swimmers from some much bigger clubs, I would say it was quite a big accomplishment."
She added that some of the children who competed have also qualified for provincials.
"That is set to take place in Edmonton from June 15 to 17," Kamelchuk said. "The children who qualified are really excited to get there."
Assistant coach Amy Zacharuk accompanied the competitors who went to Grande Prairie.
"Each competitor raced in a long-course pool," said Zacharuk. "It was a coarse about 30 to 45 seconds long for everyone."
She said that she is very pleased with how each of them performed.
"Lance Holdis competed in the 8 year old and under category," Zacharuk said. "He placed in all but one of his races, and he took home six medals while competing in the 53 metre race, the 50 metre breast stroke, the 55 metre race, as well as in the 100 metre freestyle. He took home the most medals in his age group."
Zacharuk added that she saw a lot of improvement in all of the team members who attended.
"Claire Francis won gold in the breast stroke for the 13-and-under category," she said. "Kyra Sheppard also won a medal of each colour (gold, silver and bronze) in each of her events. And a few more also took home ribbons for fourth to eighth place finishes. All in all, most of our littlest swimmers saw a great improvement in their performance, and the more competitive swimmers also took the time to practice for, and attend, each event."
