Kootenay Swim Club pair shine at Canada’s Age Group Championships
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Two Nelson swimmers registered some impressive results at the Swim Canada’s Age Group Championships this past weekend at Laval University in Quebec City.
Kelsey Andrusak and Samuel Matthew, both swimming with the Kootenay Swim Club, were especially pleased with the results competing at this level of competition for the first time their careers.
This meet is designed to give swimmers ages 12 through 18 years of age the opportunity to race against the best athletes in their age group in Canada.
The long course meet is held every summer in various cities across Canada.
Andrusak and Matthew competed in four events during the championships.
Andrusak started the competition on fire, turning in her best swim of the meet, finishing in tied for 11th place in the 50 breaststroke.
The result was a new personal best.
As a result of the tie Andrusak had to have a swim off to determine who the first alternate would be in case one of the top 10 was not able to start in the final.
Andrusak then finished 19th in the 100-meter freestyle and 21st in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 50-meter freestyle.
Meanwhile, Matthew opened with a personal best, and a 21st place finish in the 50-meter breaststroke before placing 19th in the 100-meter breaststroke with a new best time.
Matthew then swam his best race of the championships, erasing two seconds off his personal best time to finish 15th in the 200-meter breaststroke and taking 22nd in the 200-meter individual medley.
“(We) would like to thank Coach Chris Wright for his dedication and support,” the two swimmers said. “Unfortunately due to the cost and time commitment Chris was unable to attend in Quebec but the preparation that he provided over the course of the year certainly showed in the results that were obtained.”
Andrusak and Matthew now turn their attention to the upcoming season, which begins in September.
The two Kootenay Swim Club swimmers have already achieved 2 of the 3 time standards at the next Age Level that they need to qualify for the 2016 Age Group Championships, which will be held in Calgary.
In addition Andrusak and Matthew have both qualified for four events at the 2016 Speedo Western Championships, which will be in Winnipeg next spring.
Andrusak and Matthew are also grateful for the community support through the recent bottle driv.
For more information on the Kootenay Swim Club please check ou the club’s website.
