Penticton Pikes swimmers are like sponges soaking up everything coach Cole Midtdal tells them.
The proof was evident in the Pikes 2014 Invitational meet at the Penticton Community Centre as Midtdal watched each swimmer earn seasonal best times.
“All they need is a little guidance,” said Midtdal. “They are willing to learn. It’s like night and day from when they started. They look like new swimmers out there.”
Midtdal said the meet was fantastic and it is just the start. The Pikes’ new coach, a member of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, said he hasn’t even started the hard training. The focus the last month has been on technique and Midtdal said it’s paying off.
“It’s only up from here,” he said. “I’m excited to see how it goes.”
Hayden Krause said the meet was good. He enjoyed a strong performance in the 50-metre breaststroke, finishing in 49.51 seconds.
“They are good swimmers,” he said of the competition. “That’s why I did good with fly (second in 45.77).”
Krause also took first in the 100-m freestyle, finishing in 1:18.56 and earned a silver aggregate medal for combined scores.
Leah Newsted was also happy with her results and credits Midtdal for the improvement.
“He teaches us the right technique,” said Newsted, whose best result was fourth in the 100-m freestyle finishing in 1:36.36.
Other swimmers earning aggregate medals were Ashley McMillan, silver, her brother Ryan, silver, Simon Paisley, bronze, Leif Forge, silver and TJ Paisley, silver.
In the team relays, the Pikes took first and fourth in the 200-m freestyle mixed division one, finished first in the mixed second division. third in the mixed division three 200-m freestyle, second in the fourth division of the same race and second in the mixed division eight 200-m freestyle. While Midtdal is excited by the improvement, he said work still needs to be done on their turns and dives.