The Squamish Pirates swim club managed to take home a handful of medals at the Provincial swim meet in Nanaimo this past weekend.
Pirates swimmers Eli Chappell and Wyatt Pedersen won a total of six medals between them, with other team members putting together strong events at the event that ran from Aug. 17 to 19.
Chappell, a division 4 swimmer, dominated his division with two gold, a silver and a bronze medal in his individual events. He won the 200 meter individual medley in a time of 2.25.98, which was 2.5 seconds faster than his closest competitor. He also won a gold in the 50 butterfly, silver 100 freestyle, and a bronze in the 100 backstroke. All of Eli's times were personal bests.
Pedersen, a division 6 swimmer, earned a silver medal in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.60, also a personal best. As a member of the regional relay, Wyatt anchored the relay to a silver place finish. In Wyatt's third event, the 100 breaststroke he placed 12th.
Sarah Dale qualified in four individual events and placed highest in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke with 12th place finishes in both. Sarah was also a member of her division's regional relay.
Mikayla Lorimer, in her first provincials, qualified for four individual events and placed highest in her 50 backstroke at 11th with a time of 38.03 seconds. Mikayla was also selected to race in her divisions regional relay.
Elizabeth McIllwraith, in her first year as a Pirate, had a very strong showing at the provincials competing in 50 backstroke and butterfly racing to a 21st and 22nd place finishes respectively.
Daniel Russell, head coach and most senior pirate competitor, placed sixth in the 100 backstroke (58.81 seconds) and 9th in the 50M freestyle (25.08).
The coaching staff, along with Russell were Emily Hennigar and Sarah Dale, who were present for the full three day speed swimming championships, which included 900 athletes from around the province.
Pirate registration for the fall session is currently open and registration forms can be found at squamishpirates.com and can be taken to the front desk at Brennan Park Recreation Centre until Aug. 29. In person registration is August 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 4 and 6 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
For more details on the team and registration, visit www.squamishpirates.com.
