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Wavemaker Meet - Victoria

May 4, 2012

19 Hollyburn Hurricanes return from Victoria Invitational Swim Meet

The Hollyburn Hurricanes had an outstanding swim meet April 27th – 29th at the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool. Everyone placed top 15 overall, most swimmers made it to the finals, and everyone swam best times. Six of our swimmers were new to long course competition: Morgan & Quincy Bender, Jade & Sidney Clement, Thomas Dignum and Abbey Heard. These swimmers were amazing in their first high pressure swim meet – their top finishes were:
                     Morgan Bender – 3rd in 50 fly

                     Quincy Bender – 15th in 50 free

                      Jade Clement – 4th in 50 breast

                      Sidney Clement – 12th in 50 breast

                     Thomas Dignum - 10th in 100 back

                     Abbey Heard – 4th in 200 free

Special mention goes to Sidney Clement for quite possibly being the youngest Hurricane swimmer to attend an invitational swim meet at the age of 6 – we’ll keep our eye on this little powerhouse! Congratulations swimmers! Amazing performance!

Our swimmers in the 9 and under category included the Morgan and Quincy Bender, Jade Clement, Abbey Heard, Avery Kirstiuk, Grace Robertson and Aidan Smith. Avery took more than 6 seconds off in her 50 breaststroke, placing FIRST overall for the event, Grace took over 85 seconds off 5 of her swims, and Aidan achieved an A LC time standard for his 50 free. Aidan also placed top 6 or better in all 9 of his races. Other A time achievers were Marisa Ruus in her 50 free, and James Maycher in 200 free and 50 free. Madeline Robertson achieved a AA time standard in her 50 free – there’s no slowing this girl down!

April Barnes took over 16 seconds off her 11 events, placing 3rd in 50 fly, Jason Chow took over 43 seconds off his 8 events, placing top 3 in EVERY event he swam, Colby Evans took a total of 16 seconds off his 6 events, placing top 7 in every one, John Hollands took 24 seconds off his 9 events, placing FIRST in 200 fly, Carly Kanga bettered her 9 events by over 15 seconds, Angus Robertson unloaded 25 seconds over his 8 events, and Chris Ruus returns after recovering from a broken arm to better his 9 events by an amazing 61 seconds.

Swimming faster than ever before make up the individual side to this sport, but what also came through this weekend was how much of a team sport this is as well. All of our swimmers supported and spent time together the entire weekend, each one talking to, playing, coloring and laughing with the other, despite differences in age, gender or practice group. Our team also extended a warm welcome to a few other swimmers who were without a coach for the weekend, truly embodying the ideal of good sportsmanship. The Hollyburn Hurricanes Swim Team is one you can be proud to belong to.

Congratulations to the Coaches and swimmers, and especially to the parents of these amazing kids!