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Last weekend, Kelowna AquaJets Swim Club sent swimmers to three different long course swim meets, in Nanaimo, Kamloops and Calgary.
The largest contingent headed over to Nanaimo where the medal haul was impressive as the swimmers brought home a total of 62 medals.
Leading the way with five gold, a silver and two bronze medals was 15 year-old Makenna Haight. Haight’s gold medal swims came from the 50 freestyle (29.60); 50 (33.79) and 100 backstroke (1:12.28); and 50 (31.17) and 200 butterfly (3:15.71).
Teammate Erin Epp, age 13 years, also picked up eight medals with six gold and two silver. Epp’s first place swims came from the 50 (29.68), 200 (2:20.85) and 400 free (4:52.91); 200 breaststroke (2:54.70); 50 fly (32.05); and 200 Individual Medley (2:35.55).
Also picking up gold were Matthew MacDonald (15) in 50 backstroke and 50 butterfly; Volodymyr Matushevskyy (13) in 400 freestyle and 50 fly; Cameron McConechy (18) in 100 breast; Cameron McInnes (15) in 50 and 100 free; and Brandon Mullin (15) in 400 free.
Other first place finishes on the girls’ side were turned in by Taylor Desrosier (15) in 100 back; Rachel McInnes (13) in 50, 100 and 200 back; and Madison Comeau (13) in 50, 100 and 200 breast.
In Kamloops, two of the younger swimmers broke club records. Ten-year-old, Sara Gray, took first place in 400 IM in a time of 7:00.88, while nine-year-old, Aiden Kirk, swam his 50 fly in a record breaking time of 41.96.
Gray also touched first in 100 breast while Kirk took first place in 50 and 100 free, 50 breast and 100 back.
Andrea Kraetzer (12) and Quin Toyata produced best times in Kamloops.
Meanwhile, eight senior swimmers headed to Calgary to compete in the Canadian Western Swimming Championships.
Jasper Stone, age 16, had a strong meet achieving personal best times.
Three swimmers made finals at this high-level meet with Christina Russo, age 21 years, taking silver in 100 fly in a time of 1:03.41 and bronze in 50 fly in a time of 28.35.
Also reaching finals were Molly Hill, age 15 years, who touched 6th in 100 fly in a time of 1:05.81 and Axana Merckx, age 15 years, who came in eight place in 400 IM in 5:12.27.
Up next for the AquaJets are a jamboree meet in West Kelowna for the younger swimmers and KAJ’s hosted Long Course Invitational at H2O.
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