Ten members of the Yorkton Storm Swim Club (YSSC) recently competed in their second meet of the season. The club attended the "Fall Freeze Out" in Moose Jaw. Overall the team did very well returning home with sixteen top three performances.
Jacob Baker and Jennifer Haczkewicz led the way for the team. Baker brought home two first place finishes (50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke) a second in the 100m Freestyle along with a third place finish in the 50m Backstroke. Haczkewicz captured three first place finishes (100m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, and 100m Freestyle), and added two second place finishes in the 50m Butterfly, and 50m Freestyle events.
What impressed Head Coach Ashley Benko the most was that Haczkewicz swam "AA Times" in all five of her races. Baker also swam his 50m Breaststroke at the "AA Standard." This will allow the two swimmers to compete at the Man-Sask Meet this March in Winnipeg.
Baker was really pleased with his effort in Moose Jaw, "I am super-excited to be going to Man-Sask for the first time.," said Baker, continuing, "It shows that all of the time that I've been spending in the pool has paid off."
"Next up for me is to try and get a second AA time when we travel to Saskatoon this month for our next meet."
When asked about her efforts Haczkewicz said, "I'm really happy with my swims in Moose Jaw, and I am very happy for Jacob to have qualified for Man-Sask as well."
Baker became the first male swimmer to qualify for Man-Sask since Benko took over as Head Coach of the team. "Both swimmers deserve to be attending, they really swam well," said Coach Benko. "Jen has been swimming at this level for quite a few years now, and it great to have Jacob join her, Winnipeg will be a great experience for both of them."
Five other YSSC swimmers turned in top three performances as well. Kelsey Haczkewicz finished second in the 100m Breaststroke and added a third place finish in the 50m Breaststroke. Adam Kindjerski had a second place finish in the 50m Breaststroke coupled with a third place effort in the 100m Breaststroke. Connor Watrych turned in a second place effort in the 200m Freestyle. Tia Slowski swam her way to third place in the 100m Breaststroke and Auston Roberts rounded out the YSSC medal swims with a third place swim in the 50m Breaststroke.
Shea Guest earned the meet's "Storm Chaser Award." This award is given out to the YSSC swimmer that shows the most improvement over the course of all of their swims at a meet. Shea improved an average of 8.84 seconds in each of her five swims at the Moose Jaw meet to win the award.
