Impressive results for KWIC at AAA provincials
A total of 19 KWIC members competed at the recent AAA provincials in Kamloops, placing 10th out of 39 teams and bringing home several medals.
KWIC, which stands for Kelowna West Kelowna Integrated Clubs, was led by Erin Epp and Pierson Piche — racking up 102 points each.
Epp swam to 100 per cent best times, earning silver medals in the 100and 200-metre breaststroke races and the 400 Individual Medley, while also placing fourth in the 200 IM, fifth in 50 free and sixth in the 200 fly.
Piche also swam to 100 per cent best times, winning silver in the 50, 100 and 200 back. Piche finished fifth in the 400 IM and 400 free, sixth in the 200 free and seventh in the 200 IM and 50 free.
KWIC teammate Abigail Jerome swam to 100 per cent best times, recording 81 points thanks to silver medals in the 50 fly, 50 free and 100 fly, plus a bronze medal in the 200 free and a fifth-place showing in the 200 fly.
Andrea Kraetzer qualified for the Canadian Junior Championships after swimming to silver in both the 50 and 100 free. She was also fourth in the 200 breast, fifth in the 100 breast and sixth in the 200 IM.
Matthew MacDonald also punched his ticket to the Canadian Junior Championships by placing fifth in the 50 fly, sixth in the 100 back and 100 fly, and seventh in the 200 back.
Cameron McInnes swam to one shy of 100 per cent best times and also qualified for the Canadian Junior Championships while making four B finals.
Harold Yick will join them at the Canadian Junior Championships after placing sixth in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 free.
Taylor Smith was also one shy of 100 per cent best times, swimming to a fourth-place finish in the 200 breast, fifth in the 100 breast and eighth in the 100 back.
Axana Merckx swam to bronze in the 50 free and 200 breast and a fifthplace finish in the 100 breast.
Ava Toyata was eighth in the 200 IM and Holden Berrisford also placed eighth in the 100 breast, while Jasper Stone qualified for three B finals.
Other strong swims were had by Molly Hill (5th in 100 fly), Liam Collie (5th in 50 fly) and Gabrielle Hanvold (8th in 50 free).
Marc Toyata swam to two B finals and Emily Epp also qualified for one B final.
KWIC is sending 10 swimmers to the Canadian Junior Championships in Toronto from July 26 to 31, including Kraetzer, Erin Epp, Taylor Smith, Molly Hill, Axana Merckx, Paige Foster, Jasper Stone, Matthew MacDonald, Cameron McInnes and Harold Yick.