Submitted. The Abbotsford Olympians Swim Club wrapped up a solid championship season March 8-9 in Richmond at the Lower Mainland Regional Championships. This meet was held the week after James Lee was in action at the “AAA” championships in Victoria. James represented Abbotsford well breaking 5 club records and posting 100% best times. James continued his improvement and has become a great competitor in a very short period of time. As well, he returned to his training squad with a wealth of new experience that immediately impacted those around him.
The Following weekend, we saw 14 Abbotsford Olympians Swimmers in action in Richmond, this meet provided the largest improvement curve for the team so far this year.
Sam Lee had a great meet, breaking 5 club records, winning 5 events and qualifying a new “AA” time.
The youngsters on the team had a particularly good weekend, Mckenne Postles broke 5 club records and qualified four new “AA” standards, She also earned a Silver in 200 Free & the 800 Free and a Bronze in the 400 Free. Taveleen Grewal had a great week end as well, she broke 6 club records and earned Gold in the 100, 200, 400 & 800 Freestyle, she also took gold in the 200 Backstroke & 200 IM. In addition she qualified 4 new “AA” times.
Newcomer to the Abbotsford Olympians; Ryan Han, raced well with his first official meet in Canada. Ryan is new swimmer joining us from Korea, a youngster at age 10, he is skilled and brings a great dynamic to the team. Ryan had an instant impact on the AOSC club record board, going 7 for 7 club records, we expect much more out of the young swimmer. In addition to his records, he qualified 3 new “AA” times and 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal.
Tobyn Smith had a good meet as well, swimming more off events as designated by the meet rules, due to her qualifications she had going into the meet. None the less, it was a productive week end. She earned Silver in the 800 Freestyle, had a commanding win in the 50 Back, breaking the club record again.
All in all, the swimmers all improved tremendously. Amongst the older kids, Sophia McDonald earned a silver in the 800 Free, Gold in the 50 Breast, Bronze in the 100 Fly & 200 IM. Ily Taranenko earned a Bronze in the 50 Free. Sam Lee won Gold in the 200 Free, 200 IM, 50 Fly 100 Fly & 200 Fly, also earning a “AA” time in the 200 Fly, Sam also picked up the Silver in the 50 Free. Alex Simpson placed 1st to win gold in the 100 breaststroke.
The Abbotsford Olympians will kick off their long course season in April in Langley.
For more information on the Abbotsford Olympians Swim Club visit them at www.abbotsfordolympians.com
Pictured: Tavellen Grewal And Tobyn Smith go head to head on the 200 Medley
Congratulations, Abbotsford Olympian Swim Club.
It is unfortunate that the City of Abbotsford took
the money in reserves, which had been allocated for expansion
of the Matsqui Recreation Centre pool and used it for Plan A.
The Olymians, the Whalers seim club have had to compete with
the general public swimmers and also Instructors giving swim
lessons to countless numbers of children.
The new YMCA 25 metre pool proposal is a bandaid attempt to address the lack of pool facility space in this city and lack of city funds needed to build a much needed competition length pool in our city.