The Richmond Rapids headed south where they opened the new season with an excellent showing at the Thunderbird Invitational in Anacortes, WA.
The contingent of 25 Rapid swimmers achieved top three finishes in most events and displayed a higher than expected level of fitness.
For Rapids head coach Robert Pettifer, the meet was a great opportunity to see where his team was after the summer break.
"I think swimmers this year came back in better shape than they have ever," he said. "It shows that they are thirsty for success this year and are willing and able to put the work in."
Medalists for the Rapids were:
Brandon Crawford (13) - silver: 100IM/200 IM; bronze: 50fly/100 fly/50 free.
Brandon De Costa (15) - gold: 50 breast/50free/100 free; silver: 50 fly/50 back; bronze: 100 IM/200 IM/100 fly.
Nicholaas Dekker (15) - gold: 200 IM/100 back/50 fly/100 breast/50 back/100 IM/100 fly; silver: 50 free/50 breast; bronze: 100 free.
William Dekker (12) - silver: 50 breast/100 IM; bronze: 50 fly/100 breast.
Paula Gosse (15)- bronze 100 fly.
Michael Jakac-Sinclair (14) - gold: 200 IM/50 breast/50 fly/100 free/100 breats/100 IM/50 free/100 fly, silver 50 back/100 back.
Jess Jones (12) - bronze: 100 breast.
Emma Letts (14) - bronze: 50 fly/50 back.
Jerry Liu (12) - gold: 200 IM/100 back/50 fly/100 free/100 breast/50 back/50 free.
Nathan Muszynski (16) - silver: 200 IM/100 back/100 free/100 breast/100 IM/100 fly; bronze - 50 breast/50 fly.
Tiffany Orr (16) - gold: 50 breast/50 back/50 free; silver: 100 back/50 fly/100 free/100 breast/100 IM; bronze: 200 IM.
Nicole Welsh (14) - bronze: 100 fly.
Serena Xu (13) - gold: 50 breast; silver: 100 IM.
The Rapids are gearing up for their second meet of the year at UBC as they take part in the VPSC Invitational at the end of the month.
The club has on-going registrations throughout the year in all competitive groups out of Watermania and with their learn to swim program at Minoru Pool. For more information visit www. richmondrapids.com or call 604275-7946.
