January Newsletter #1

Hello LASC Families,

 

I hope you are all doing well, it’s been great seeing everyone back in the pool this week.

 

Schedule

Jr. National, National, and Academy - Reminder that there will be no Weekday Morning Practices for for this first week back. Saturday is still as regular, and Weekday Mornings will return next week.

 

 

Meets in the New Year

 

Winter Festival - Calgary, January 23rd- 25th

 

Thank you to everyone who registered.

 

Maverick Madness - Calgary, January 30th - February 1st

 

A short course heats and finals meet at Seton YMCA in the South of Calgary. This meet is open to all competitive members in the club. Note the dates are different from what were originally published on our calendar.

Please register by this Friday, January 9th.

 

Goldfins Winter Whiteout - Saskatoon, February 6th - 8th

 

A long course heats and finals meet at the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon. We are gauging if there is interest in attending this meet. With the AMAC Winter Invitational being cancelled we are looking at this meet as an alternate to get some Long Course races in. Swimmers must have Saskatchewan AA times to qualify, those along with additional meet info can be found on our event page.

Please declare intent/register by January 12th

 

Hotson Plumbing & Gas Fitting Friday Night Races - Lethbridge, February 13th

 

Our first Friday Night Races of the 2026 calendar year. Looking forward to a fun, team-building affair.

 

AMAC Winter Invitational - CANCELLED

 

Due to AMAC having to host Provincial Trials in short notice, they have cancelled their Home Meet. 

 

Alberta Winter Provincial Trials - Medicine Hat, March 6th - 8th

 

One of Alberta’s premier competitions, Swimmers with Provincial Trial Qualifying Times are welcome to attend with a chance to win and Qualify for Provincial Championships. Swimmers with Provincial Championship times are disqualified from the meet.

Please see our Qualifiers page to confirm if your swimmer is eligible.

 

 

Pronghorn Classic - Lethbridge, March 13th - 15th

 

Our next upcoming home meet, the always electrifying Pronghorn Classic should lead itself to another great weekend of racing.

 

Alberta Winter Provincial Championships - Edmonton, March 19th - 22nd

 

Alberta’s premier competition, Provincial Championships bring in the top talent across the Province to see who will be crowned as Provincial Champions. Swimmers need a Championship Qualifying time.

Please see our Qualifiers page to confirm if your swimmer is eligible.

 

Hotson Plumbing & Gas Fitting Friday Night Races - Lethbridge, March 27th

 

Our second Friday Night Races of the 2026 calendar year. This will be an excellent way to finish off the Winter Session for our Jr Horns swimmers.

 

Dino Cup - Calgary

 

We will be looking to attend the Dino Cup for our Olympic Way and Provincial Groups at the UofC Pool.

 

Best of the West Fest - Winnipeg, April 23rd - 26th

 

Western Canadian Championships have returned in a new form as the Best of the West Fest. For all information please see the event information on our page which includes the meet package. Swimmers need a Qualifying time,Please see our Qualifiers page to confirm if your swimmer is eligible.

 

 

Spring Break(General): April 3 - 12th

Spring Break (Best of West Fest Attendees): April 27th - May 3rd  

 

 

Swimmer of the Month 

 

Olympic Way (1&2)

November - Declan Spencer

Declan has done an awesome job leading our group through activation before we get in the water. He always tries his best and works hard on improving his swimming skills. Declan is a great teammate and positive leader.

Way to go, Declan!

 

December - Mya Jerred

Mya had a fantastic December, as all of her hard work and dedication in practice ended up with a fantastic showing at the Sandy Ferris Age Group Challenge where she swam to hug time drops and made multiple finals. Due to all of her efforts in practice, she has been called up to move into the Provincial Group to start the 2026 year.

 

 

Provincial 1

November - McKenzie McFadzean

McKenzie has consistently shown herself to be an excellent learner and teammate. She is always keen to listen and take feedback during practice, but she knows how to have fun and lifts up the practice environment for her and her teammates. Her attention and practice skills paid off in November as she swam to 3 new best times in Medicine Hat.

 

December - Elijah Jellison

Elijah had been putting in great practices for the month of December as he was able to see all his hard work pay off when he attended the first meet of the season at the Sandy Ferris Age Group Challenge. With a great start to the season, we can’t wait to see what Elijah has in store for 2026.

 

Provincial 2

November - Elizabeth Forestell

Elizabeth is always one to compete and try their best when a race is on the line. A terrific competitor, Elizabeth showed off her racing capabilities in Medicine Hat when she swam to 7 best times, including huge time drops across her breaststroke races.

 

December - Willow Schori

Willow had a terrific month as her attitude and effort during practice was on full display each day. She finished the month with a number of best times and hard fought swims at the Sandy Ferris Age Group Challenge. 

 

Junior National

November - Kalani Bogard

Always one to give their best and always curious to detail, Kalani’s success comes from time spent on thoughtful work. She was rewards in big ways at the Medicine Hat meet as she swam to a best time in every event contested and saw some massive timedrops within her breaststroke swimming.

 

December - Zachery Sillito

Coming off of a successful November, Zach continued his success into December as he saw a number of best times fall down in Edmonton, while adding some Provincial Trial cuts as well. Zach continues to grow and is show increasing leadership qualities within the Jr. National group.

 

Academy & National

November - Calyn Lothian

Calyn kicked off November with an fantastic showing at the Cascade Speed Meet, winning 4 events, all in best times, and setting a new club record in the 200 Free and putting up the #2 times for the 50, 100, and 400 Free times to boot. Calyn has been a constant leader on deck for the Academy group, consistently setting a high bar and standard for the group.

 

December - Kate Machacek

Kate had an incredible end to her 2025 year as she set new best times in all 7 of her events at Edmonton and claimed a new club record in the 100 Free. Her 50 and 100 Freestyle times lead the country for 13 year olds as she looks to make her mark. Kate’s ability to lift under pressure and shine when the lights are brightest continue to help her find success.

 

 

Swim Alberta Mental Performance Series

Swim Alberta is hosting a number of online sessions throughout the season titled the ‘2025-2026 Mental Performance Series’ for swimmers, coaches, and parents. These sessions are held in partnership with the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSI-AB).

 

Athlete Session #4 – Tuesday January 13, 2026 at 6-7pm

• TOPIC: Mental Health & Well-being & Deliberate Practice

 

Parent Session #2 – Tuesday January 13, 2026 at 7-8pm

• TOPIC: Event Management

 

Register for either session here.

 

 

 

 

Take care and swim fast!

Josh