Spring break not a time for Stingrays to take a break

Water flows from the Duncan Stingrays’ Kayla Laberge in the girls’ 200-metre I.M. during the Stingrays’ Spring Break Invitational at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre Saturday.

Andrew Leong

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Duncan Stingrays swim team members are on spring break but not taking a break from the pool.

The team had 36 members in the DST spring break invitational that included all 11 swim teams on Vancouver Island. Nearly 260 swimmers raced at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre during the weekend.

"We are so pleased for all of our swimmers to have the opportunity of showing the Cowichan Valley their strengths and talents,'' noted Stingrays' head coach Leanne Sirup. "It was a very exciting competition and we are very proud of our swimmers for achieving such great personal successes.''

Two new swimmers joined the Stingrays for the event: Heidi Doner, 12; and Sabrina Willsey, 16, originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta and now attending Brentwood College.

One hundred % personal bests were obtained by: Mathias Bell, 15; Cate Cochrane, 10; Olin Dahlstrom, 9; Helena Ellis, 10; Tawney Geddes, 15; Lalaine Gower, 14; Cecilia Johnson, 14; Haakon Koyote, 15; Elleni Malherbe, 15; Jasmin Marston, 14; Melina Suelzle, 12; and Savanah VanNieuwkerk, 13.

Twelve achieved just one event less than 100 % personal bests, a group that included: Jotei Browne, 12; Jessica Castle, 10; Natalia Garriock, 16; Kayla Laberge, 12; Chloe Langkammer, 10; Rosie Lee, 15; Jaylene Olebar, 12; Desirae Ridenour, 13; Kealey Scott, 10; Ava Smith, 10; Tess VanNieuwkerk, 10; and Esmee Zinkan, 15.

Six swimmers with two less than personal best perfection were: Zeara Broadway, 12; Olivia Campbell, 12; Oliver Castle, 11; Laura Kissack, 15; Megan Lewis, 12; and James Ogihara-Kertz, 14.

Jeremy Kissack, 13, recorded four personal bests while Chelsea Langelo, 22, and Robyn Zinkan, 12, had one each.

Many of the Stingrays also challenged themselves with new racing opportunities by trying different events. Browne was the busiest in that department, adding the 200-metre freestyle, 100 back, 100 fly and 200 I.M. to the repertoire.

Cochrane and Langkammer both attained their first-ever regional 10 and under AA qualifying times in the 50 free. Koyote established a provincial AAA qualifying time for 15-year-olds in the 200 back.

The team is now off for the week before heading into a series of events for the last 16 weeks of the season.