The Yorkton Storm Swim Club had a strong showing at Regina's "Freeze out Meet" on the first weekend of December. Five of their 11 members that took part in the event are advancing to the "Provincial A Short Course Meet" that takes place later this winter in Prince Albert.
"As a coach I am really excited at how the season has started out," says team coach Ashley Benko. "We have never had this many swimmers qualify for this meet, so to have five make it with at least three more possible meets to qualify left is incredible!"
It undoubtedly wasn't a cake walk for the swimmers. In order to advance they had to exceed an "A" standard time.
Jennifer Haczkewicz led the way, recording four "A" times, as well as one "AA" time. Her "AA" time came in the 50m freestyle event, recording a time of 31.45 seconds.
"I was really excited to break 32 seconds for the first time," says Hackewicz.
Benko was very impressed with Hackewicz's endurance.
"It was especially nice for her to swim that fast, knowing that she had just swam an 800m freestyle race about half an hour before that one," added Benko.
Kelsey Haczkewicz recorded five "A" times at the meet to qualify for provincials for the first time in her swimming career.
"Kelsey has really burst onto the scene ever since winning five medals at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Meadow Lake this past summer," says Benko. "Her first place finish in the 50m Breaststroke event was the lone first place finish of all the Yorkton swimmers at the Regina meet."
Jayden Lang, a native of Melville, swam three "A" times at the meet to qualify for provincials.
"Lang continues to turn in quality performances," says Benko. "she is a very committed young athlete."
Jacob Baker got on the map as a solid swimmer, racking up his first two "A" times ever.
"I am very happy for Jacob," added Benko. "He has been chasing this goal for a couple of seasons now, I am so pleased that he was able to reach this goal at his first meet of the season."
Enrico Bijman added an "A" time in the 50m breaststroke event to round out the Yorkton qualifiers.
