With some big competitions on the horizon, the Richmond Rapids built some momentum with a strong showing at the recent Canadian Pacific Dolphins New Year's Invitational.
With 300 swimmers in attendance at the three-day event, hosted at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, there were lots of opportunities to meet new people and to get to know teammates better. The Rapids brought 52 swimmers and the coaches were very impressed with their swimmers' ability to swim fast and be consistent.
Rapids' Provincial Age Group Coach Alex Pettifer was extremely happy with the progress of her athletes and the way in which they swam. "This weekend was about trying to qualify for the next level in swimming. For many of the swimmers it was about reaching the next qualifying time or the next big time breakthrough."
The Rapids had three new B.C. AA championship qualifiers at the meet. Joshua Quon (9) achieved his time in the 100 butterfly, William Dekker (12), who qualified in the 400 IM and the 400 freestyle; and Christopher Lam (13) who earned a berth in the 100 breaststroke. The B.C. AA championships take place this weekend in Chilliwack.
Meanwhile, Austin Berry (11) and Nicholas Huen (13) achieved B.C. AAA qualifying times in the 400 free and 200 fly respectively.
"Having five new qualifiers in a meet is a great result," added Pettifer, "It shows that swimmers are hungry to succeed and want to be the best at what they do."
Besides heading to Chilliwack this weekend, some Rapid swimmers are also preparing for the Western Canadian Championships in Winnipeg, Feb. 16-19. The B.C. "AAA" Championships go March 1-3 in Surrey.
