The Winskill Dolphins made the most of their contingent of 14 swimmers who attended last month's 2014 Western Canadian Championships at the Canada Games Pool in New West.
The meet, along with its eastern counterpart, is a senior-level competition in Canada known for attracting the best swimmers in the western provinces. Past years have witnessed Olympians and national team members descend to race at Westerns.
The tiny team from Tsawwassen was in its element. The Dolphins managed to collect 39 finals and nine medal winning performances, including six golds. WDSC had five first-time competitors, five first-time finalists, six first-time medalists, and a first-time Western Champion at the meet. Along the way, Winskill swimmers broke eight club records, two meet records, and one provincial mark.
Winskill finished fourth among B.C. teams and eighth overall.
"The preparation and willingness to race from our swimmers was evident this weekend," said head coach Ben Keast. "Other clubs have been taking notice; I think this is because our swimmers are very young but look proficient and we continue to improve with each new championship cycle. We have a whole long course season ahead of us but these midseason short course tests are important.
Much more in store for our strong young swimmers!" Sixteen-year-old standout Markus Thormeyer led the charge with five gold medals.
His wins came in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 back, 100 back, and 50 back. He also received 'Swim of the Meet' for posting the highest 16 and under world ranking swim in the 200 back.
Kiersten Gilberg, 15, won her first Western title in the 50 breaststroke with a personal best time of 32.90 seconds.
In relays, the boys team of Singh, Thormeyer, Zou, and Lee won bronze on both the 4x200 free and 4x100 free.
The girls team of Singh, Gilberg, Kowbel, and Peake captured bronze in 4x50 medley, setting a new B.C. record of 1:57.30.
