The Penticton Pikes swim team has completed two weeks of hard training as they head to regionals in Kelowna this weekend.
"I was kicking their butt there for a while," said Pikes coach Cole Midtdal, who began the training descent this week with a focus on technique and sprints.
Midtdal, who swims for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, admitted some of his swimmers complained a bit as he pushed them in a way that he wouldn't be able to handle right now.
"Kudos to them, it was really hard," he said. "They stuck with it and didn't give up."
During training, Midtdal pushed harder to ensure the swimmers have extra strength for the end. He wanted to push them beyond what they are going to have to be prepared for.
"When it comes to the race, they are going to have that energy," he said. "I think we're actually going to do pretty well. I think we're turning out to be pretty competitive."
Provincials are taking place in Kamloops Aug. 15-17.