Sylvie Paillard
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The North Vancouver swim club Chena achieved outstanding results at the Team Aquatic Supplies B.C. Provincial Swimming Championships in Surrey Feb. 2 to 5.
Although one of the smallest teams at the competition, the team placed fourth in the province, and their success is in no small part due to the strength of a few local swimmers.
Chena set 14 club records and tallied a total of 24 medals, many of which went to local athletes Jessica Johnstone, Olivia Montgomery, Hana Vartanis and Claire Ourom.
Jessica swam to second place in the province, just missing first by two seconds, and achieved the fastest 200-metre backstroke time in Canada in the under 10 age category.
As if that wasn't enough, Jessica also got first place in the 200 metre individual medley, the 100 metre backstroke and the 50 metre butterfly, as well as 3rd in the 50 and 400 metre freestyle and 4th in the 100 metre backstroke.
"Jessica's swimming was amazing," said coach Kally Kaye. "She was very mature about competing and putting together great swims, even after a very long day of racing. This was Jessica's first provincials, however, anyone watching her swim, would think she had been swimming at this level for years."
Olivia and Claire were both members of a 14 and under relay team that set a new provincial record in the 4x200 freestyle relay. Olivia earned a total of two gold and one bronze on relay teams. She also placed first in the 800, 400 and 200 metre freestyle and second in the 200 metre backstroke.
"Olivia is swimming like a truly matured athlete," said Kaye. "She has now qualified to attend the Pan Pacific trials, where it is looking like she will have a strong chance of landing a spot on the Canadian junior team."
Claire also turned heads during the meet, earning one gold and one bronze on relay teams and achieving a new team record."Claire has made very big improvements in her swimming, especially at the longer events," said Kaye. "She is not only strong in the sprints, but now also very strong in the mid distance events. I expect that she will take home a few gold medals `from the B.C. Winter Games coming up at the end of the month."
Hana more than kept up her end of the 12 and under age category, helping her relay team earn a gold, and missing the provincial record by a mere two tenths of a second. Hana also came in second in the 100 metre freestyle and third in the 200 metre backstroke.
"In a tough competitive field," said Kaye, "I think that Hana's results from Provincials speak for themselves. Hana has one more Provincials and an age group Nationals to compete at within the 12 and under category before she ages up. If she continues to swim this well, she has a good chance of being selected for both the Provincial and National teams."
