Jade Heathfield and Angelina Filtziakis, both 11, may go to different schools here in Terrace, but their time training and competing together as members of the Terrace Bluebacks swim club has helped their friendship grow.
“We’re best friends,” said Filtziakis, who recently took silver for her age category at the first meet of the season in Prince George Nov. 15 - 17. Heathfield, who only began swimming competitively last year when her family moved to Terrace, took gold.
And coach Mike Christensen said the girls were neck and neck throughout the competition, and by winning in different races – Fitlziakis says her favourite race is the 100 metre breast stroke, with Heathfield’s favourite being the 100 metre back stroke – they helped each other secure their spots on the podium.
They were also both invited to the Swim BC regional training camp in Kitimat Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 to train with Olympic swimmer Scott Dickens.
And the rest of the swim team to travel to Prince George for the meet last month – Thomas Christensen, Hazel McDaniel, Pasha Ormerod and Harlene Takhar – had solid results as well.
“We had a small team but some great performances,” said Christensen. “Many best times.”
It’s usually the older swimmers who attend this meet, he explained, as to why the club travelled with a smaller team.
There are also a number of swimmers on the team who aren’t swimming competitively – not yet, at least.
Next up, the team is heading to Kitimat Dec. 13-15.