The Revelstoke Secondary swim team bested 17 other teams from the Okanagan region this past weekend when they took top spot in the Okanagan regionals.

The team was led by grade 12 student Cynthia Pfeiffer, who came in first in all of her six events, including the 50-metre freestyle, the 50-metre backstroke, the 100-metre individual medley, 100-metre freestyle the 200-metre freestyle relay and the 200-metre medley relay.

Six other RSS students will be travelling to the provincial finals, which take place in Richmond on Nov. 22.

Grade 9 student Emily Pfeiffer earned a spot in the provincials with a third place finish in 50-metre backstroke, a second in the 100-metre individual medley, as well as wins in both relays. Grade 9 student Hanna Thomson also raced in both relays and also came in third in the 50-metre butterfly. Jacob Wallach (grade 9) finished third in the 100-metre individual medley and second in the 100-metre butterfly. Relay team swimmers who also booked a ticket to the provincials are Christina Hui (grade 11), Kathryn Hui (grade 9), and Emily Federico (grade 9).

Swim team co-coach Andy Pfeiffer, who coaches alongside Nadia Salon, says that the win was a big one, especially considering their wins over big schools from Kelowna, Kamloops and other major centres.

He said the Revelstoke Aquatic Centre has been the key factor in the success of the team. “Clearly, when the Aquatic Centre opened up four years ago it allowed us to train and participate in these winter swim events.” Before that, the team had trained at the Sandman Hotel pool. “It’s the facilities that have been created for us that allow us to do that, and the enthusiasm of the athletes,” said Pfeiffer. “The kids are excited and want to be involved.”

The win marks the second year in a row that the RSS Swim team has won the regional competition.