Good things really do come in small packages — just ask Michelle Lorusso and the Nelson Neptunes Swim Club
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s the truth, really!
Good things really do come in small packages.
Born a non-believer? Then take a quick gander at the Nelson Neptune Swim Club.
Despite only rolling out 20-plus swimmers for the Kootenay Summer Swim Association Regional Finals this past weekend in Castlegar, the Neptune coaching staff boasts a total of eight participates — six competitors and two coaches — for the upcoming B.C. Summer Swim Association Championships next week in Richmond.
That’s a whopping 40 per cent of the team off to try their hand at competing against the best in the province.
“Our swimmers exceeded our expectations and did very well at the Regional Championships,” said rookie head coach Michelle Lorusso following the meet.
“Many of them placed in the top three which means they qualified for the Provincial Championship . . . in Richmond.”
On, or near the top, like he’s been all season was Neptune Sam Matthew in division three boys. Matthew stroked his way to three gold — 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 100 individual medley — and one silver — 50 backstroke.
Jakob Brager, in division one boys, also had a strong performance winning a pair of gold in 100 and 50 freestyle. Brager completed the meet with a silver medal in 50-meter backstroke.
Rebecca Afford took home a gold in 100-meter breaststroke and a bronze in the 200-meter individual medley in division seven girls while Kiandra McLaren topped the 100-meter breaststroke in division six girls.
McLaren also won two silver medals in 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly.
Assistant coach Melissa Afford won three bronze medals in division seven girls while Kourtney Brager took home a pair of silver — 100 free and 50 back — and one bronze in 100 individual medley.
Matthew Holitzki won a bronze in division two boys 50-meter butterfly.
Sage Cowan captured three medals in division four girls, two silver medals in 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke and bronze medal in 100 freestyle.
Devyn Parker won a pair of bronze medals in division six girls — 100-meter freestyle and breaststroke.
Winter swimmers Jordan Andrusak won four gold medals — 50 breaststroke, 100 free, 50 butterfly and 100 individual medley; Niallan Collier one silver — 200 individual medley — and Kelsey Andrusak one silver — 50 freestyle.
“The majority of our swimmers placed in the top eight which is very impressive as well,” Lorusso explained.
“The hard work they put into the season definitely paid off at this meet with most swimmers taking off lots of time in their races, or making it onto the podium.
The Richmond meet begins Monday in the Lower Mainland City.
PROVINCIAL NOTES: Making the trek to Lotus Land are Neptune swimmers Sam Matthew, Kourtney Brager, Jakob Brager, Rebecca Afford, Kiandra McLaren, Matthew Holitzki, Melissa Afford and Michelle Lorusso.
