Neptunes return back to calm waters of NDCC
By The Nelson Daily Sports
After a few years of living a life of a gypsy, the Nelson Neptunes are officially returning home to the friendly confines of the Nelson and District Community Complex pool as the Kootenay Summer Swim Association squad opens the 2017 season Monday.
The Neptunes were forced to take the show on the road due to ongoing upgrades to the Nelson and District Aquatic Centre, last season training out of the Salmo June through August.
However, a few hours on the car didn’t slow the Neptunes as the Heritage City club stole the show at the 2016 Kootenay Summer Swim Association Regionals in Colville, Wash., finishing ahead of the rest of the field to claim the overall title. Every single Neptune swimmer finished in the top three of their respective individual event, or top two in relay events to power Nelson to the regional title.
This year, the club is being handed over to rookie skipper Sarah Broen.
“I am extremely excited to pass on my knowledge, passion and love for the sport,” Broen said.
“I completed for eight fantastic years with the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club in Alberta and for the past four years I have been a member of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.”
Broen also competed at nationals, westerns and placed in the top eight at Canada West Swimming Championships during my swimming career. She coached for two seasons in Red Deer and last season I had the privilege of being selected to coach the ASSA all-star team at provincials.
Also on the pool deck is Matthew Holitzki, who assumes the assistant coach position for the Neptunes.
Holitzki has been a member of the club since 2006.
The KSSA season begins (Monday) May 1 and runs until the middle of August.
Other teams include Grand Forks, Castlegar, Trail, Colville, Kimberley, Colville, Wash., Creston
Nelson is holding two BCSSA sanctioned meets this season — the Neptunes home meet June 3-4 and the Kootenay Regionals August 5-6.
This meet is the qualifying meet for swimmers to go to Provincials. Provincials are in Kamloops Aug 17-20.
For more information about the club go to the team website.
