Seven Maple Ridge athletes shine at the BC Winter Divisional Championships in Nanaimo

Seven Haney Seahorse Swim club (HSSC) athletes went on their first champion-level meet in Nanaimo last week, and made quite a mark on the competition.

From Feb. 25 to 27, the seven athletes took the ferry to Nanaimo for the Swim BC Winter Divisional Championships – Fraser and Island Region, said head coach Sarah Rudolf.

“Since the start of the pandemic this was the first champion level meet that the swimmers in the province would attend in person. It was very exciting for all the swimmers and coaches to be back on a pool deck together and ended up being a fantastic weekend,” she said.

The swimmers went up against swimmers from 18 teams in the Island and Fraser region, and earned 20 medals, 17 Swim BC Provincial Qualifying standards, and one Club Record.

“It was also one of the first times this season that our HSSC swimmers got to compete on relays together,” said Rudolf.

Kirin Bullock, the young 12-year-old, led the team with six medals throughout the weekend, and placed first in the 100 Backstroke, 200 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke, 100 Butterfly and 800 Freestyle. He also picked up a silver in the 200 IM. His swim in the 800 Freestyle was a 40-second best time, breaking the club record held by current HSSC senior swimmer, Juan Arango.

Jordan Patrick also had an amazing meet and he picked up seven medals over the three-day meet, placing first in the 50 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, and 50 Butterfly. Patrick also placed second in the 400 Freestyle, 50 Freestyle, and 800 Freestyle and helped the HSSC relay teams pick up top three honors in the 15 and over Girls 200 Freestyle Relay, and the Mixed 400 Medley Relay.

The other members of both relay teams included Daniel Hai, Denys Tymchuk, Mariella Missori, Susie Zimmerman and Stephanie Schneider. Other medalist for the Seahorses included Daniel Hai who stood second in the 100 Breaststroke and third in the 200 Breaststroke, Mariella Missori who stood third in the 50 Butterfly, and Madi Seneviratne who stood second in the 50 Backstroke and third in the 100 Backstroke.

“HSSC had so much success in the pool in Nanaimo, but also had a great time bonding as a team. All the HSSC coaches are so proud of how all our swimmers represented our community, and supported each other throughout the weekend,” said Rudolf.

HSSC athletes will next be competing in the Swim BC Provincial Championships in Victoria, from March 10 to 13, and the Delta LMR on March 12 and 13.

“Daniel Hai, Jordan Patrick, Kirin Bullock and Madi Seneviratne will join Joel Blanco, Keenan Gander, Juan Arango, Robynn Reid, Rebecca Smith, and Ryan Leslie to travel to Victoria to go up against the best swimmers in the province. Go Haney Go!” said the coach.

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