Neptunes shine against BC's best at BCSSA Championships
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Medals are generally hard to come by for Interior clubs when competing at the BC Summer Swim Association Championships.
However, this is a different Nelson Neptunes team.
The road warriors from Nelson continued their success away from home as the Heritage City Club did not look out of place at the provincial meet held this past weekend in Coquitlam.
“Twelve Neptunes and Head Coach Cynthia Pfeiffer endured the heat wave to finish with six medals, eight consolation final swims, 11 final swims and over 90 percent best times,” said Neptune head coach Cynthia Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer said the Neptunes were led by Lachlan Bibby-Fox and Jaylen Rushton, who were able to qualify in the A finals in all four events entered.
Bibby-Fox started the Neptunes off on the right foot Friday by claiming the firsts medal for the Kootenays, with a bronze in 100-meter Individual medley.
Sunday Bibby-Fox added his first ever silver provincial medal to his count in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Rushton followed his momentum in the 100-meter individual medley, claiming the silver medal.
Rushton also won bronze medals in both the 50-meter Freestyle and 50-meter Butterfly, and finishing a close fourth in her 50-meter Breaststroke.
Pfeiffer also added to the medal count by finishing thirrd in the 100-meter Backstroke.
Pfeiffer and Rushton teamed up with Olivia Cowan and Joanna Blishen combined to qualify in the final of the 4 x 50-meter Medley relay where they finished in eighth spot against much older swimmers.
Cowan also qualified into the final in her 100-meter backstroke, where she finished eighth and was able to shave off one more second.
Pfeiffer said other highlighted swims include Evan Chouinard knocking off five seconds in his 100-meter freestyle and Enna Cowan’s two second best time in her 50-meter butterfly.
“With the (Nelson and District Community Complex) pool opening on October 17 the Neptunes are itching to get back to their home,” Pfeiffer said.
“The winter maintenance program where they swim two hours a week, will begin shortly after the pool opening.”
