KISU’s Jaren Lefranc was strong in the pool for Team B.C. in the Southwest Classic in Tucson, Ariz.
Lefranc was one of 11 male swimmers competing in preparation for the Western Canada Games in Fort McMurray in August. While in Tucson, Lefranc had best times in the 100- and 200-metre breast stroke. His efforts earned him a spot on the A medley relay team that won.
“I thought I performed pretty good,” said Lefranc, who broke his toe while jumping in a pool two weeks before. “It was good that I could perform in that way still.”
KISU coach Tina Hoeben, also the male coach for Team B.C., said she was very pleased with Lefranc’s performances, including in the relay.
“It was quite exciting,” she said when it came to discussing the calibre of the field. “We are in with not only some U.S. Olympians, but some of the U.S. medal winners from the Olympics. It was very fast.”
The Swim BC website said the team’s goal was to use that meet to put the swimmers in an uncomfortable setting so that they could come together and perform as a team.
“It was also one of the purposes of that meet was for our team to bond as Team B.C.,” said Hoeben. “We really want to go in as a strong and unified team when we race again at the Western Canada Games.”
Hoeben said the experience is a small stepping stone along the way to bigger and better performances. The 15 year old said the meet allowed him to gain international experience. He also benefited from competing with highly skilled swimmers.
“The people on Team BC are just insanely talented and insanely fast,” he said. “It’s nice to swim with them. Great group of people.”