Strong performances by KISU swimmers helped the club tie for fourth at the AAA provincials championships in Victoria March 2 to 5.
KISU tied the Pacific Sea Wolves club with 1,084 points.
“They really had to dig deep,” said KISU coach Tina Hoeben. “There were some great performances and outstanding swims.”
Hoeben said the field was the best B.C. had to offer for 18 and under swimmers.
On the fourth and final day, Ashley McMillan, 12, took home gold and silver medals in the 200-metre breast stroke and 200-m freestyle, respectively, while Tyler Wall won gold in the 50-m free. His brother Riley earned bronze in the 50-m free. Hoeben wrote on the club’s Facebook page that Jaren Lefranc won gold with an impressive two minute, 14 second swim in the 200-m breast stroke. Xelian Louw picked up bronze in the 100-m fly. Hoeben said Louw had a great weekend for his first year in the older age group.
“It was really good. I swam pretty well,” said Louw. “It’s a hard meet. It’s a good experience and there is always something to do better on.”
Jose Perales, a Mexican exchange student, took home gold in the 100-m fly with an impressive 1:04.14 (his previous best 1:09.28).
The boys 200-m medley relay team (Tyler Wall, Riley Wall, Lefranc and Sam Lasinski) broke the 18 and under record, which Hoeben said is a big deal as they are all 17 and under. The team accomplished the feat on the third day in a time of 1:44.29, which took nearly half a second from the record. McMillan, Tyler Wall and Lefranc each earned medals on that day. McMillan won the 100-m breaststroke clocking in at 1:15 and the 400 IM in 5:04. Wall won the 100-m free in 52 seconds and the 200-m backstroke in 2:04. Lefranc won the 100-m breast stroke in 1:01 and the 400 IM in 4:29. On the second day, McMillan posted a best time (2:25) in the 200IM earning her a silver medal. Justin Fotherby cut nine seconds in the 14U in the 200 IM to earn silver. Tyler Wall took gold with a 2:08. In the 18U finals, Lefranc won his first non-breaststroke individual event with an impressive 2:04.
KISU had some swimmers battle illness while competing. With Fotherby unable to competed with the 14 and under relay team, Thomas Caruso, 11, stepped up in his absence to save the relay team with Elijah Kliever, Evan Peters and Perales. While the latter three swam their hearts out, Hoeben said, “the superstar” was Caruso. His best time for 50-m free is 32.16 and he swam a 29.8. The relay team placed fifth overall.
Perales was very excited about his performances as the other swimmers were faster than he expected.
On opening day, McMillan “tore up the pool” in the 800-metres, winning the 13 and under event by 10 seconds and moving from being ranked fifth to first. The 14 and under boys relay team of Fotherby, Kliever, Perales and Evan Peters took silver in the 4x200.
“It is very satisfying knowing we are in that range,” said Hoeben of their overall finish.