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Bomber four win medals at Kootenay Swim Championships

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
November 1st, 2010

By Bruce Fuhr,
The Nelson Daily Sports

Ever had a great experience from opening one of those smaller presents from under the Christmas tree?

That’s what the B.C. High School Speed Swim Championships will see from the L.V. Rogers Bombers when the provincial event hits the water in two weeks on Vancouver Island.

The four-swimmer contingent from LVR proved the smallest of teams could provide the greatest of results following competition at the Kootenay High School Swim Championships Sunday at the NDCC Pool.

“I was impressed at how well our kids did,” said LVR teacher sponsor, Dave Afford after the morning meet. “Niallan (Collier) is swimming very well. (My daughter) Rebecca placed well in the meet and Devyn (Parker) had a real good meet.”

“Devyn is young but she is very strong and competed very well today,” Afford added.

Collier, swimming winter club which means the Grade 11 student competes in a different category than summer club competitors, dominated the meet with some very fast times.

Collier topped the podium in boy’s 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley.

Grade 12 swimmer Rebecca Afford was the next best Bomber on the medal ride, capturing bronze in girl’s 50-meter freestyle and gold in 50-meter breaststroke. Afford finished fifth in both 50-meter butterfly and 100-meter individual medley.

Parker, perhaps made the biggest statement for the Bombers placing  third in girl’s 50-meter backstroke.

Parker’s remaining results had the Grade 10 student finishing fourth in both 100-meter freestyle and 50 meter butterfly and sixth in 100 meter individual medley.

Meanwhile Milde did not claim a medal but the Grade 10 swimmer still turned in some great swims against Grade 12 competition.

Milde took eighth in boy’s 50-meter freestyle, fifth in 50-meter backstroke, fifth in 50-meter breaststroke and eighth in 50-meter butterfly.

The meet attracted swimmers from throughout the Kootenays, including teams from Stanley Humphries in Castlegar, Grand Forks, Rossland, J. Lloyd Crowe in Trail and the Selkirk Storm of Kimberley.

The top three swimmers in each race automatically qualify for provincials November 19-20 on Vancouver Island at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

Afford said the Bomber four will be there, provided the quartet can garner the necessary funds to make the trek. “At this point, yes,” said Afford when asked about the trip. “We just have to figure out how to get there.”

And, when the Bomber four steps on to the starting blocks, what does the sponsor think will happen?

“I think Niallan could to very well at provincials,” Afford said. “And Rebecca has a chance at placing in the breaststroke.”

Afford said the championships are open, meaning there are no divisions to separate the younger from older competitors. “That makes it very tough on the younger swimmers,” he admitted.

sports@thenelsondaily.com

 

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