Flying Fins looking to build on success
The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins had a successful showing last weekend. “The meet was fantastic. The swimmers did great. There were a number of very strong performances, especially considering the fact that we are in a bit of a heavy training cycle,” said head coach Gord Shields.
Shields says the meet was a good example of how the team is progressing this season. “You could see the improvement in their technique,” said Shields. “That is the first thing to do — to have good technique because then everything else falls in place.” A total of 17 swimmers competed in Saskatoon at the Goldfins Brainsport Winter Classic. A further seven swimmers took part in the Future Stars meet. The Winter Classic is for provincial-level swimmers, while the Future Stars is for those at the developmental level.
Over 200 swimmers from across Saskatchewan participated.
“It really showed and tested the swimmers as to where they rank in the province of Saskatchewan.”
The Winter Classic produced many memorable results. Of note, Jacob Korpan and Cadence Johns qualified for the Olympic Trials, which will be held in Toronto later this spring.
Several swimmers earned personal best times, including Emily Lin, Rylan Montgomery, Dayna Newberry, Mateah Purdy, and Erica Zinn.
Other notable results:
• Makaya Arnott — bronze (Female 12 and Under 100m freestyle)
• Damian Chartrand — bronze (Male 14 and Over 1,500m freestyle)
• Keaton Clark — silver (Male 13 and Under 100m backstroke) and three bronze (200m medley, 400m freestyle, 50m backstroke)
• Cadence Johns — two gold (Female 13 and Over 200m medley and 200m backstroke, two silver (100m butterfly and 400m medley), and two bronze (100m backstroke and 50m backstroke)
• Chloe Johns — two gold (Female 13 and Over 200m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke) and three bronze (50m breaststroke, 200m medley, 400m medley)
• Jacob Korpan — two gold (Male 14 and Over 50m backstroke and 200m backstroke), two silver (100m backstroke and 200m mdley), and one bronze (50m breaststroke)
• Max Leforte — silver (Male 14 and Over 200m breaststroke)
• Austin Lin — bronze (Male 14 and Over 200m freestyle)
• Mateah Purdy — silver (Female 12 and Under 200m breaststroke) and bronze (50m breaststroke)
On the Future Stars side, both Najma Abelgadir and Aaron Freeman posted personal lifetime bests.
The Flying Fins will certainly be kept busy over the coming weeks and months with a number of meets on the horizon, including the junior provincials will be held in Moose Jaw March 6-8.