Medicine Hat

This past weekend we had B's in Medicine Hat. Elite Development had Olivia Anderson, Sarah Peddie and Haley Wirachowsky competing and it certainly went well. All three girls did extremely well and wrapped up their season on a high note.

Olivia started off the finals with an unbelievable 200 breaststroke. She really took it out hard and was able to hang on for the last three 50's to pull off a huge best time and also grabbing herself a shiny bronze medal. This was made all the more impressive considering she may not have slept...the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at took some serious adjusting. Olivia went on to have some more great swims, particularly her 100 back which showed she's no one stroke wonder.

Sarah Peddie took a few major steps this weekend. Sarah shook off the nerves and pulled out an amazing 200 backstroke and getting herself a silver medal. The next day that confidence helped to achieving a great time in the 200 IM and 400 free. More importantly the entire Peddie family escaped the same Bed and Breakfast the Anderson's and I were staying at by calling to see if there were any extra hotel rooms. Although they missed out on the swings, goats, and chickens, one can consider them very fortunate...one may think their kitten might not have fit in.

Haley Wirachowsky had the meet of her career thus far. She stepped up in all her races, making most of her finals and dropping HUGE amounts of time. She managed to get a bronze medal in her 50 backstroke and place well in all her other events. I think the confidence she got from racing with all these other fast swimmers will certainly help her next year. It was a great way to wrap up her season. Having no creepy B & B to think about, nor a kitten who needs constant attention clearly paid off.

A congratulations to all the other swimmers who put in some great races...In particular Matt Whiteside who qualified for A's by winning a great 200 breaststroke!!

Ryan Duggan had a great B's, whether it was swinging on a swing, petting goats, or choking down a strawberry smoothie, there certainly wasn't a dull moment. I found out that fireworks are overrated...at least during Redcliff Days, a large order or rib tips is too much, Perkins is just an okay restaurant, and despite giving 9 and 10 year old girls a thirty second head start I'm still the best Mario Kart player in the club.

Great season guys...now get all the rest you can over the summer and be ready to come back stronger then ever!!!