Waves, Marlins off to provincials

Another member each from the Medicine Hat Waves and Alberta Marlin Aquatic Club have qualified for the Southern Alberta Provincials later this swim season.

Waves’ Taigan Walker, 11, is the ninth from her club to earn qualifying times, going fast in Lethbridge this past weekend. The Marlins’ Samantha Hunt did the same.

At the LASC Spring Challenge Invitational, Walker was eighth in the 50, 100 and 200 metre breaststroke but more importantly got to the qualifying standard in both the 50 and 200. Hunt’s time of 29.27 second in the 50 freestyle got her qualified. Southern Provincials are June 16 to 18 at Medicine Hat’s Family Leisure Centre.

Twenty-two Waves and 45 Marlins were at the meet, and many came home with top times and podium finishes.

Jaiden Riddell continued his impressive season. The 12year-old won all six races he entered to be the Waves’ top medallist. Right behind him, literally, was teammate Aaron Kruger who piled up six silver medals in the same six events.

As for AMAC, 17-year-old Mikaela Wong wrapped up two gold, three silver and a bronze, while Emily Schlenker, 14, had two gold and four silver.

Other Waves to medal included Anna Nozewski, 17, who won the 50 and 100 breast and was second in the 200; Quirina Thompson, 14, had bronzes in both the 100 butterfly and 200 backstroke; Jericho Raneses, 13, was third in his 50 fly; Trinity Shilka, 13, was third in 50 fly; and Jaivyn Barabe, 11, was second in 100 breast and third in 200 breast.

Marlin medallists included Kristin Hollingworth, 11, with three gold and a silver; Abby Begin, nine, with two gold and a silver; Kaitlin Skrove, 12, with two bronze; Parker Maxwell, 12, with gold, two silver and a bronze; Munro Maxwell, 12, with a gold and three silver; Ashton Scholly, 12, with three bronze; Delrae Vetter, 12, a silver and a bronze; Derian Swaren, 16, with one medal of each colour; Paige Callaghan, Madison Hunt, Samantha Hunt, Lauren Miner, Alaina Rissling, Kara Robinson and Brandt Swaren.