Terrace Blueback Thomas Christensen grabbed gold earlier this month in Chilliwack at short track provincials, clocking in faster than the AAA time standard.
His time of 1:13.06 in the 100 metre breast stroke was enough to give him the gold in a close race that saw him overtake his competition in the last 25 metres after being behind half a body length earlier in the race.
“It was pretty close,” said Christensen.
He has qualified for provincials numerous times in his swimming career, but this was the first time he took the plunge – and it paid off.
“It was awesome,” he said, of the win. “Best feeling ever.”
He picked this year to finally compete provincially because he’s decided it will be his last year with the team, choosing to focus on his final year of high school next year, lifeguarding, and running.
“I’ve gotten out of swimming what I wanted – a triple A time and a gold medal, which is a bit of a bonus,” he said.
The other Blueback Athletes who attended the meet, along with Points North teammates from Kitimat and Smithers, were Jade Heathfield who swam a number of best times despite battling sickness for most of February, and Raychel Davies who swam a best time in her 200 Back.