The Richmond Rapids Swim Club finished out the season with two major meets in Alberta, competing against the strongest age group athletes the country has to offer.
Nicolaas Dekker and Brandon de Costa represented the Rapids at Canadian Summer Nationals in Edmonton, which showcased the fastest overall Canadian swimmers, excluding the Olympic team.
Dekker set a club record in the 50 metre butterfly (27.05), and de Costa took down the 100 metre back club mark (1:00.98). This was Dekkers second and de Costas first trip to Senior Nationals.
This was a great experience for these boys, said head coach Robert Pettifer. Swimming at this level is completely different from provincial meets, and I expect that this experience will be crucial to their development as national level athletes.
Two days after the conclusion of this meet, the two boys joined 12 other Rapids athletes Kyle Bower, Paula Gosse, Michael Jakac-Sinclair, Liam Kell, Patrick Kell, Jerry Liu, Morgan Mark, Nathan Muszynski, Serena Xue, Cathy Ye, Kevin Ye, and Tony Zeng for Age Group Nationals in Calgary .
Over the five day meet, the Rapids had five top-8 finalists and set eight individual club records and three relay records, including a 12-year-old medley relay record that included Olympian Brian Johns.
The Rapids also earned several spots on the podium.
Kevin Ye pulled double medals in the breaststroke, earning silver in the 50 and gold in the 100, both in club record time. This is his first time as a national champion.
Liu captured silver in the 100 backstroke, which is the first time hes earned a medal at Age Group Nationals. Nicolaas Dekker also finished with a silver in the 200 butterfly, which adds to his steadily growing collection of national medals.
Other finalists include: Cathy Ye 100 Butterfly; Nicolaas Dekker 100 Butterfly; Brandon de Costa 50 Backstroke; Liam Kell 100 Breaststroke and Morgan Mark 50 Freestyle, 50 Butterfly.
Club records were accomplished by: Morgan Mark 50 & 100 Freestyle, 50 & 100 Butterfly; Kevin Ye 50 & 100 Breaststroke; Liam Kell 50 & 100 Breaststroke; Female 15&O 200 Medley Relay Paula Gosse, Serena Xue, Cathy Ye, Morgan Mark. Male 15&O 200 Free Relay Michael Jakac-Sinclair, Brandon de Costa, Nicolaas Dekker, Nathan Muszynski.Male 15&O 200 Medley Relay Brandon de Costa, Liam Kell, Nicolaas Dekker, Michael Jakac-Sinclair.
The club is very proud of these swimmers, especially as examples of the hard work they have put in all year.
The Rapids begin training again early September, and are taking registration for new members.
For more information, including registration dates and the club registration package, visit richmondrapids.com.
