The Richmond Rapids made a big splash in the provincial capital earlier this month, placing sixth among 58 clubs at the 2018 Western Canadian Championships.
The 13-member team broke nine club records and achieved many personal best times. Leading the way were Amanda McCallum and Nicolaas Dekker.
McCallum, 15, rose to the occasion against elite competition, earning gold medals in the 200m and 400m freestyle, with winning times of 2:05.89 and 4:22.88, respectively. Her clocking in the 400m free was under the qualifying standard for the Canadian Swimming Pan Pacific Trials to be held this July in Edmonton.
The 200m free victory was especially impressive. Just as she was on the starting blocks to begin the race, McCallum’s goggles snapped. She raced without them and was able to hold off the rest of the field, improving on her preliminary time.
Dekker led the men’s team by sweeping the butterfly events. He won the 50m (25.10), 100m (54.73), and 200m (2:01.05) events, earning the 17-and-over Male High Point Award for his performances. The 22-year-old demonstrated that he is on track to be a major fly threat at the Pan Pac Trials.
A number of Rapids also achieved podium performances throughout the competition.
Jonathan Dieleman, a 2016 Rio Paralympian, won the gold in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events. In the men’s Para 100 breast, he set a new Canadian & America’s record. Dieleman was recognized as the 2017 Swim BC Male Paraswimmer of the year during the meet.
In the boys 16-and-under age group, Matthew Crawford and Samuel Pei also earned podium finishes. Samuel won silver in the 400m free with a time of 4:08.38, while Matthew earned the bronze in the 200 butterfly.
Relays also played a large part of the team’s overall success. The men’s 4x100 freestyle relay was led off by Burnett secondary students Matthew Meuleman and Ethan Chan. With Pei and Dekker on the back half, they combined to win the bronze medal in a time of 3:35.13.
Other top 8 performances included:
Matthew Crawford (16): 7th 100 BK, 7th 200 BK.
Nicolaas Dekker (22): 4th 100 BK, 5th 200 IM.
James Kwaksistala (13): 5th 100 BK, 8th 100 FR, 7th 100 FLY, 8th 200 IM.
Morgan Mark (23): 6th 50 FLY.
Amanda McCallum (15): 4th 100 FR, 6th 200 IM.
Samuel Pei (15): 4th 200 FR, 6th 200 IM, 7th 400 IM.
Men’s 800 FR relay: 4th and new club record (Matthew Meuleman, Matthew Crawford, Ethan Chan, Artur Yushko).
Men’s 400 Medley Relay: 4th: Matthew Crawford, Samuel Pei, Nicolaas Dekker, Matthew Meuleman.
Mixed 400 Medley Relay: 4th: Matthew Crawford, Christina Tan, Nic Dekker, Morgan Mark.
Overall, the meet was a great success for the Rapids and an excellent stepping stone into the second half of the season. On May 5-6, the Rapids will be hosting over 400 swimmers for their 21stWest Coast Open meet at Watermania.
Anyone interested in receiving more information about the Rapids can email [email protected]. Information about Summer programs is now available at www.richmondrapids.com.
