Neptunes conclude season with strong showing at Nanaimo provincials
By The Nelson Daily Sports
A handful of Nelson Neptune swimmers took to the road to see how they stack up against the best in the province at the B.C. Summer Swim Association Championships held recently in Nanaimo.
Madeline Holitzki, Samuel Matthew, Matthew Holitzski and Jaylen Rushton were the only Neptunes to attend the provincial meet but still registered very impressive results.
“I am happy with the results as it was most of the swimmers’ first provincial meet,” said Neptune skipper Rebecca Affortd.
“Almost every race, especially in preliminaries, was a best time with most of them taking off about two or three seconds.
Rushton recored the best finish of a Neptune, placing seventh in 50 meter butterfly.
Rushton also had a two top-20 results — 11th 50 meter breaststroke and 15th in 100 meter freestyle.
Madeline Holitzki edged into the top ten in 50 meter butterfly (10th) and ninth in 50 meter breaststroke.
The up-and-coming swimmer also finished 20th in 50 meter backstroke, to go with a 17th 100 meter individual medley.
Samuel Matthew placed 13th 200 meter IM, 18th in 50 meter butterfly, 15th in 100 meter backstroke, 11th in 100 meter breaststroke
Matthew Holitzki checked in with a 21st in 100 meter IM, 20th in 50 meter butterfly, 23rd in 50 meter backstroke and 17th in 50 meter breaststroke.
“I have seen so much improvement in all of the swimmers regardless if it was their first year or they have been swimming over five years,” Afford said.
“They have been diligent to change their technique — the basis of their propulsion in the water and continuation in the sport to avoid injury.
“It was so great to see the older swimmers inspire the younger ones and begin to take a leadership role in the team,” she added. ” It was so great to have the seniors volunteer coach and promoting team spirit.”
As the season concluded in Nanaimo, the Neptunes handed out the team awards.
Female Aggregate: Sage Cowan
Male Aggregate: Samuel Matthew
Most Improved Female Swimmer: Jaylen Rushton
Most Improved Male Swimmer: Lachlan Bibby-Fox
Best New Female: Ohia Wintraub
Best New Male: Logan Wright
Most Sportsmanlike Female Div. 1-3: Devan Andrusak
Most Sportsmanlike Male Div. 1-3: Matthew Holitzki
Most Sportsmanlike Female Div. 4-8: Nava Sachs
Junior Spirit Award: Madeline Holitzki
Senior Spirit Award: Sage Cowan
Excellence in Mental Strength Female Div. 1-3: Sabien Edney
Excellence in Mental Strength Male Div. 1-3 : Rohan Moola
Excellence in Mental Strength Female Div. 4-8: Katie DeJong
Coaches Award Female Div. 1-3: Olivia Cowan
Coaches Award Male Div. 1-3: Cameron Bibby-Fox
Coaches Award Female Div. 4-8: Joanna Blishen
Coaches Award Male Div. 4-8: Samuel Matthew
Leadership: Emma Borhi and Hannah Sachs
