Terrace Bluebacks swimmers came in a collective second as a club at the Drax Global and Viasport Regional Championships held May 12 to May 14 in Prince Rupert.
This was the first heats and finals meet held in the region since 2019 and 21 Bluebacks responded by achieving personal best times in 81 per cent of their individual races.
Thomas Sambo, 12, was the big news of the meet, reports club coach Chris Street.
“He took more than seven seconds off both his 50 free and 50 back (huge improvements) to make his first Swim BC Northern and Interior Divisional qualifying times,” said Street.
“That makes him eligible to attend the meet in Kelowna next month. He also swam best times in his other five events, too.”
The other first time qualifier was Noah Grielens, 13, in making his first ManSask “A” (junior provincial) time with a 33.63 50 freestyle. He also swam all best times and won the silver medal in the 12-13 boys age group.
Paige Constantinescu, 12, swam three new Divisional times in the 100 back, 100 free and 200 IM while also winning the silver medal in the 12-13 girls age group.
Brook-Lynn Meijer, 17, swam her third Divisional cut with a 1:09.37 100 freestyle and Zion Girard, 13, swam best times in all seven of her events on her way to a bronze aggregate award in the 12-13 girls age group.
Reed Downs, 12, came home with a bronze medal in the 11-12 boys age group. Darien Sambo, 14, and Sienne Pretto, 12, both swam new best times in all of their races.
A few other notable performances include Maelle Calkins, 10, dropping more than 20 seconds off her 100 breaststroke. Maddex Homeniuk, 13, took almost 16 seconds off his 100 backstroke.
MacGregor Lambert, 13, shook nearly 45 seconds off of his 200 IM. Osgar Leggat, 11, came third in the 100 breaststroke after dropping a full 21 seconds. And in one of his seven best times, Darien Sambo took nearly 40 seconds off of his 200 freestyle.
Overall the Bluebacks finished second to the hometown Prince Rupert Rapids with 333.5 points.