Pacific Coast Swimming rode a wave to another Swim BC AAA Long Course Provincial Championships title as the top swim club in the province.
It marks a remarkable fifth year in a row as provincial champions for the Saanich-based club. The win came on home turf, or water, at this year’s meet, which took place July 6 to 10 at Commonwealth Pool.
Pacific Coast Swimming’s Bolts totalled more than 300 points ahead of second-place Hyack Swim Club from the Lower Mainland, with Island Swimming from Victoria finishing in third place.
“The whole team banded together to stand up, raise their hands and cheer on every finalist,” said Mark Lancaster, general manager for Pacific Coast Swimming. “That exemplifies why PCS is such a great organization to be a part of.
The podium finishes were “stellar,” he added, as he was totally impressed by the level of support displayed by the team.
Saanich star Lauren Crisp, currently ranked third in Canada, led the charge for the Bolts, winning gold in the girls’ 16-and-over 100-metre backstroke. Crisp will compete in the Junior Pan Pac Championships in Hawaii at the end of August.
Sophie Lorette earned a silver medal in the 100m fly for girls 12-13 while Jessica Luo did the same in the girls 14-15 category. Lorette also garnered gold in the girls 400m free.
Keir Ogilvie swept all three butterfly events in the 12-13 group, while Erin Lawrence earned a bronze in the girls 16 and over 400m free.
Anthony Gutierrez won gold in the boys 200m free for 12-13 year olds, while Cale Murdock won gold in the boys 16-and-over 200m free.
The team of Crisp, Sophie Tarrant, Allison Ballaynte and Rachel Sawchuk combined for a silver in the girls open 200m medley relay.
Go to pacificcoastswimming.com for a look at the complete results from the tournament.
Island Swimming medal in Kamloops
Island Swimming had a solid outing at the AA L/C Championship, which took place in Kamloops June 24-26. Alexandra Kurz earned two bronze medals, while teammate Bridget Burton won the 50-metre fly.
Sienna Mizel finished in third place in the 100m back. Sloan Wensauer took home the bronze and a silver as part of the medley relay team. Island Swimming’s Shannon McMillan, Tayah Giesbrecht, Alex Greenfield and Shania Sraw also won the 200m relay. Birpal Sraw won a gold in the boys 200m breaststroke and a silver in the 100m event.