Winter Championship Season - David Fry East Coast Championships (AAA)

It has been a busy month of racing for SWAT swimmers. Nova Tech 4 on February 17, AA Winter Champs from February 23-25, and David Fry East Coast Champs (AAA) from February 29-March 3.

Finally, the last meet in the Nova Scotia Winter Championship season: David Fry East Coast Championships

Representing SWAT were 17 swimmers, up 5 from this meet last year. It was a strong meet for SWAT with 80 Best Times, 62 lanes at Finals earning a total of 20 medals and 1099 points: good enough for fifth overall team score with Clubs from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland competing.

Senior Groups put forth 12 swimmers. Many of them in the 14-15 Men’s category. The group pushed 56 best times and 50 finals appearances. Gabe A had 7 best times including the opening split of the 400 Freestyle Relay. He reached the Finals in 5 event and earned the club 42 points. After a lengthy time away from AAA competition he dropped over 30 seconds in the 200 Breaststroke! He dropped 9 in the 200 Backstroke in one of the most successful finals for SWAT in the 200 Backstroke breaking 2:30 for the first time LCM. Jevon had 4 new personal records and 2 new swims for the LCM newcomer. He qualified for finals in 5 events earning 54 points and a bronze medal in the 200 Butterfly dropping 8 seconds in the process. Gavin had 5 best times and a new event. He made it into finals for 4 swims and earned 15 points. He dropped over: 5 seconds in the 200 Breaststroke, 4 seconds in the 200 Backstroke, and 3 int eh 200 Individual Medley. Ethan had himself a big meet with 2 best times, 7 finals with medals in each of them and 270 individual points for SWAT earning him the High Point award for the 14-15 Male category. He started off the weekend with Gold in the 800 Freestyle on Thursday night. Then followed up with a bronze in the 200 Freestyle and, a 10 second improvement and a gold medal in the 400 Individual Medley on Friday night. Saturday night he was a part of the exciting SWAT 200 Backstroke final winning the gold medal with a 4 second drop in a 15 and Over Club Record and 16-year-old CJC qualifying 2:13.26; before finding the mettle to gut out a 400 Freestyle final minutes later earning a bronze medal. And finally on Sunday, dealing with an illness he finished the weekend with a gold medal in the 1500 Freestyle, and a silver medal in the 200 Individual Medley. Eugene was not to be outdone with 6 best times, 6 finals and medals to a total of 230 points, Easterns cuts in the 100 and 200 Backstroke and 200 Freestyle, and a CJC cut in the 100 Freestyle. He was first in the 200 Freestyle and second in the 50 Backstroke on Friday night. Saturday night he was first in the 50 Freestyle, and third in the big 200 Backstroke Final. Then wrapped up with first in the 100 Freestyle and second in the 100 Backstroke on Sunday. Ben L Found himself with 4 new personal bests making 4 finals and contributing 39 points to the team. He broke through 3:00 in the 200 Breaststroke for the first time LCM and slipped under 1:10 in the 100 Butterfly. Taite made his transition from AA to AAA with 4 best times as he makes his LCM Debut. He was fortunate to make 3 finals and contribute 33 points to the cause. Nic M had a perfect 7-for-7 weekend qualifying for Finals in 6 events earning 95 points and 2 medals. He dropped over 14 seconds in the 400 Individual Medley to win silver. He won the bronze medal in the 200 Butterfly. He also officially dropped 8 seconds in the 100 Breaststroke breaking through 1:20 for the first time LCM. One of our few ladies, Alana had three best times in the 200, 400, and 800 Freestyle events. She had a finals position in 6 events and earned 41 points. Ben P had 5 new LCM best times and one new LCM event in the 50 Backstroke. He dropped over 5 seconds in the 400 Freestyle. Joel comes out if the meet with 5 best times and 2 finals for 10 points. He breaks the 2:30 mark in the 200 Freestyle LCM with a 5 second improvement. He dropped another 5 seconds int eh 200 Individual Medley and 4 in the LCM 200 Backstroke. Jesstine also made her return to AAA competition after success the previous weekend at AA Winter Champs. She was a perfect 4-for-4, made two finals and won 21 points.

The SWAT Juniors made good on their 5 member showing adding 24 best times and 12 Second Swims. Nick Harnum had 5 best times and one new LCM event in the 50 Backstroke. He has now been under 3:00 in the 200 Backstroke LCM. Victoria was also 5 best times and one new LCM event: the 50 Breaststroke. She qualified for 2 finals earning 9 points as a younger member of the 13-14 female age category. She shed over 8 seconds in the 200 Backstroke. Jason had a strong meet with 4 best times and his first LCM 100 Breaststroke. He broke through 2:30 in the 200 Freestyle with a 7 second improvement. He dropped 3 in the 100 Freestyle and cracked 30 seconds in the 50 Freestyle for the first time LCM. In her final days as a 10-year-old Maria wrapped up her first decade with a big meet. She had 5 personal bests, 6 finals with 1 medal and 109 points swimming in the 12 and under female category. She won the bronze medal in the 800 Freestyle dropping her time from last year by 75 seconds! She set new 10 and under Club Records in the 800 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle and bettered her own Club Records in the 200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 50 Freestyle, and 50 Butterfly. At the conclusion of the meet, her 1:07.69 100 Freestyle time was the Fastest in Canada this season for 10 and Under girls. Similar to Maria, Haley spent her final days as a 12-year-old wracking up best times and team points. She had 5 best times, 6 finals, 3 medals and, 113 points from the weekend. She took off 7 seconds in the 200 Freestyle to break through 2:30 LCM and earn a bronze medal. She earned a bronze medal in the 50 Fly setting a new Club Record in the process. She took off 6 seconds in the 100 Butterfly to better the Club Record in that event. Then completed the Butterfly Record sweep by bettering her own record by 4 seconds in the 200 Butterfly and winning the silver medal.

Eugene and Ethan continue their Championship season at the Eastern Canadian Open in Quebec City the week after March Break. Maria, Haley, Victoria, Jesstine, Ruby (AA), Alina (AA), Jason, Nick H, and Gavin go off to race in Bowdoin, Maine with Team Nova Scotia over March Break. Everyone else has a competition break until April.