Though the club swim season has just begun, the Richmond Rapids have already had five members named to local qualifying teams.
Last week, Jerry Liu, Adrian Hsing, Wendy Yang, and Alex Ball were selected to the Tier One Provincial Team. In a change-up from previous years, those selected to the team will represent and receive support from Swim B.C. for the duration of the 2014-2015 season.
Liu, Hsing, Yang, and Ball earned their spots by achieving a “Junior On-Track Time” for finals. It means that, assuming continued development, they are “on-track” to make a senior national final in the next few years.
Support for these athletes includes regular national-level monitoring and metrics in the form of at least three training camps and race analytics while at meets.
The coaches of nominated athletes will also have access to the training camps and Swimming Canada coaching staff, in an effort to expand knowledge base and communication between the provincial teams and local clubs.
The goal of this selection is to further develop the “podium potential” in promising and devoted young athletes by offering regular and focused help to a smaller population, and empowering coaches to do the same with added resources.
In addition, Wendy Yang and Serena Xue were named to the Lower Mainland Regional All-Star team. This assembly of Grade 10-12 athletes from the LMR will compete in the UBC College’s Cup, slated for November. 1-2.
Athletes were selected for being one of the top three swimmers in each stroke category and will compete as a single team against several university squads attending.
