The Quesnel Waveriders swimming club continued their run of solid performances last weekend in Kamloops with more trips to the podium during the Valentine Splash.
Leading the way was Paige Kovacs with seven personal best times in eight events and eight trips to the podium. Kovacs, 8, finished the competition with four first-place finishes, three second-pace finishes and a third-place finish.
Kovacs attributed much of her success to spending more time in the pool.
“We’re swimming more often,” the shy Kovacs said.
“Practicing helps a lot.”
The weekend results place Kovacs as the top eight-year-old in the province in the 100 m individual medley event, third in the 50 m backstroke event and eighth in the province in both the 50 and 100 m backstroke events.
Réka Sikli, 11, also had a strong showing, recording personal best times in all of her events.
Most impressive of Réka’s events was the 200 m freestyle where she chopped 22 seconds off her best time. She also made trips to the podium for a second place finish in the 100 m breaststroke and a third-place finish in the 50 m breaststroke.
Réka’s performance in Kamloops also earned her a spot in the Team Aquatic Power Rankings top 50 in the province.
Chloe Dobrinsky also made the trip to Kamloops and came away with a handful of personal best times.
On the horizon, Janna Kovacs is training for the AA championships this weekend in Chilliwack. Heading into the championship, Janna is ranked fourth in the 200 and 400 m freestyle event in the province and fifth in the 50 m freestyle.
She’s been working hard to improve her endurance, speed and technique for this upcoming weekend. While at the championships in Chilliwack, Janna will be hoping to secure a AAA time in her 50 free, and other events she swims which will take her to the AAA championships.
David Sikli has already qualified for the AAA championships slated for Victoria, B.C. in early March.
David is ranked in the top 15 across the province for both the 50 and 100 m breaststroke event.
As with most teams in the Cariboo, travel is a must to gain experience and it is the same with the Waveriders. The swim team is looking for sponsors to help cover travel costs to the AA and AAA championships. For information call Laszlo Sikli, 250-747-5253.