Day 3 Age Group Nationals

*Story by Lia Lancaster 

Day three at the smokin’ hot Talisman Centre, and PCS swimmers-despite altitude and heat- did not disappoint.  The first finals swimmer was 16 year old Sophie Tarrant, who recently competed at New Zealand’s Olympic Trials, and swam the 100 breastroke with a speedy 1:14.33, came in 6^th in the 16-18 year old category.

         In the 13 and Under Boys 100 Br, there was a one-two sweep by Michael Schmidt and Brendan Fitzpatrick. Schmidt reeled in the gold with a time of 1:09.72, followed closely by Fitzpatrick, who had a time of 1:10.78 and won a silver medal. It was definitely one of the most exciting heats of the night. Good job boys!

         Next up was Sophie Lorette, in the 13 year old category. Her first event of the night was the grueling 200 Fly.  She came in 4^th, narrowly missing the podium with a time of 2:25.10. Also in the 200 Fly was Keir Ogilvie, a fellow 13 year old of Lorette’s. Ogilvie narrowly made the final, going in 8^th, however he made up 2 spots at night, dropping more than 4 seconds from the morning and coming in 6^th. The last brave 200 Fly swimmer from PCS was Artem Kuklev in the 14 year old final.  He swam a 2:28.62, and placed 8^th.

         In the whirlwind event that is 50 Freestyle,  the first sprinter from PCS was Jessica Luo, who recently competed at the Canadian Olympic Trials and went to the SNC Relay Camp in Bermuda. She raced in the 14 year old category and came in 6^th with a time of 27.6.  In his second event of the night, Michael Schmidt raced his way to a 5^th place spot in the boys 13 and Under 50 free with a speedy time of 26.48.

         What is the best way to end an exciting night at AGN’s? With a few nice fast heats of 800 Freestyle of course. Many of the medalists had already swam their 800 in the morning since it’s a time final, so they waited anxiously until the results were in to see where they placed. Swimming at night was Sophie Lorette and Erin Lawrance. Lorette went a 9:27.72, and came in second for 13 year olds! Well done Sophie! Lawrance came in 10^th in the 16-18 category with a 9:23.34. Wrapping up the night with two more 2^nd places in the 800 were Anthony Gutierrez and Erin Jennings. Jennings had a time from the morning of 9:29.35, and Gutierrez also had a time from the morning of 9:08.34. Both swam good times in the secondary pool, and still came through with two silver medals.

         All in all, ‘twas a good finals night if I do say so myself!