The Penticton Pikes have 44 swimmers among the more than 300 competing in their regional meet this weekend.
The Pikes have the second largest contingent. Coach Elliot Clarke’s expectations for his swimmers are to earn at least one best time and for eight to advance to provincial in Coquitlam in mid-August.
“They are definitely ready,” said Clarke of his swimmers. “They have been working hard and getting best times in practice. It should be a good weekend.
The Pikes had a strong showing in the Kristy Hatt Invitational swim meet in the Fraser Valley with a small group the July 20 weekend.
The Pikes used the weekend as preparation for a regional meet.
Two of the Pikes newer competitors, James Krause and Amelia Stewart, had best times. Leif Forge won the 100-metre breaststroke then took third in the 50-m butterfly and 100-m freestyle. Hayden Krause finished with third-place results in the 100-m freestyle, 50-m freestyle and 100 individual medley. Ashley McMillan collected first-place results in the 50-m freestyle, 50-m backstroke, 100-m freestyle and 100 IM. Shannon Clarke returned with second-place results in 100-m breaststroke and 100-m backstroke. The boys relay team of James and Hayden Krause, Forge and Ryan McMillan placed second in both the freestyle and the medley relay.
The girls relay team consisting of Clarke, Ann Turgeon, McMillan and Amelia Stewart placed second in the freestyle relay.