This July, the Rapids sent four swimmers to Montreal to compete at Canadian Age Group Nationals. This was the final event of the season for the club, who had been training in Montreal for over a week, while Rapids swimmers Brandon De Costa, Nicolaas Dekker and Morgan Mark were competing at Canadian Senior Nationals.

Brandon de Costa won his first two individual AGN medals, both in backstroke disciplines. The 50 backstroke was the crowning achievement – not only his first medal, but a gold medal and national title. De Costa also won this event in February at Western Nationals. His 100-meter swim was good enough to get him on the podium after a significant time drop, posting a 58.6, his second time ever under a minute long course. De Costa also set club records in both events.

All four members were able to qualify for finals, mostly for the first time. Michael Jacak-Sinclair beat his current 50 freestyle best time in finals, breaking 25 seconds in the process. Brandon Crawford stepped up in a big way in the 100 breaststroke, with his 50 meter split faster than his best 50 breaststroke, and going sub-1:10 for his first time. Serena Xue qualified for finals in the 200 breaststroke, finishing in eighth, her best national ranking yet. Xue also set club records in both the 50 and 200 meter breaststroke events.

The Rapids are now on a well-deserved break, though several swimmers, like the ones listed above, are not staying idle during August. For the club, it’s already time to prepare for next season, looking towards even bigger breakthroughs and finishes.