The Sealions celebrated their regular season with their annual banquet and awards night Thursday after a succesful regionals in Ft. St. John.
Sixteen swimmers made the trip north, with many making the grade for provincials, which coach Chris McGauley is happy with.
“Our training has been going well and I think we’re sitting nice going into provincials he said.
Two of the swimmers will be heading into provincials sitting in the top five across the province after very succesful swims.
Shawn Fisher is the third fastest in the province in his age group after the meet in the 50 metre breaststroke.
Lauren Pastachuk broke a club record on the way to a fourth place time in the province in her age group in the 50 m backstroke.
Five swimmers will be headed to provincials this month.
The team saluted the achievemnets and excellence of their team mates at the banquet.
The awards, presented across a spectrum of achievement, were kept a secret from the swimmers, surprising each winner.
Shawn Fisher, who McGauley calls a strong swimmer, was presented with the award for junior excellence.
The intermediate excellence award went to Michael Greenwood who has put the effort in all year to make progress throughout the season.
Bayllee McGillivray, the oldest swimmer and probably fastest on the team according to McGauley, received the award for senior excellence.
Owen Larson, who struggled at the beginning of the season, was named rookie of the year after finding his stroke and rocketing on from there.
Both Natalie Bergeron and Mia Kozak awarded the title of most improved. Bergeron had a great year, according to McGauley, and he is looking forward to what she will be able to accomplish next year, using this year’s skills as a jumping off point. Kozak came in half way through the season and grew from there.
Casey Fisher was given the sportsmanship award for staying positive no matter what.
Lucy and Audrey Jesperson, who McGauley said worked their hardest on every swim, were both named the hardest workers of the bunch.
Now, after celebrating their success over the regular season, a group of five swimmers will continue their season as they seek success at the provincials.
Lucy and Audrey Jespersen, Shawn Fisher, and Lauren and Megan Pastachak will head to Coquitlam Aug. 16-18 to take on the rest of B.C. at the provincials.