Although their group was small, the Estevan Golden Eels achieved big results on Saturday and Sunday at provincials in Melfort.
The Eels' contingent of 18 swimmers combined for an overall third-place finish at the meet.
With 17 teams competing, the Golden Eels' 597 points were surpassed by only the Regina Piranhas (932) and the Humboldt Hammerheads (845).
The Eels were followed by the Nipawin Lions (490), Swift Current Stingrays (346), Watrous Whitecaps (281.5), Weyburn Silver Seals (268), Biggar Barracudas (264.5), Melfort Marlins (257), Assiniboia Aquarians (141), Gravelbourg (114), Oxbow Seawolves (105), Rosetown Royals (100), Shellbrook Silverfins (56) and the Moosomin-based South East Regional Gators (45).
In the relay events, Team South (378) outscored Team North (321).
Two standouts for the Eels were Hannah Mantei and Sam Beahm, who both achieved the high aggregate scores for their divisions. Mantei was in the 9-10 girls age group, while Beahm was in 15-17 boys.
"Hannah and Sam's performance, being so strong, is always exciting to watch. Some of our swimmers got their best times of the season. We always want to see that, that's what we strive for," said Erin Wilson, who coaches the club with Akeela Jundt.
"We were excited for everybody. They performed well. All 18 swimmers walked away with a medal in either an individual event or part of a relay team."
Wilson said that despite being on the smaller end, the club sent a strong group of swimmers to Melfort.
"We knew that the ones that were going to provincials were some of the finest swimmers in our club, so it doesn't surprise me that we had such a strong showing."
In other meets, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for each age category, but Wilson explained that provincials work differently.
"Each individual event is treated similar to the Olympics. Every event gets a gold, silver and bronze medal. Then they calculate points and give one high aggregate for the age group."
Here are the swimmers who earned medals in individual events:
Josephina Andrist (7-8 girls): third, 50 free.
Sam Beahm (15-17 boys): first, 200 free; first, 100 free; first, 50 free; first, 200 IM.
Alia Burlock (9-10 girls): third, 100 free; first, 50 back; third, 50 free; second, 100 IM.
Escalus Burlock (7-8 boys): third, 25 breast.
Taylor Fornwald (15-17 boys): third, 200 free; first, 100 breast; second, 100 back; second, 200 IM.
Hannah Mantei (9-10 girls): first, 50 fly; first, 50 breast; second, 100 free; second, 50 free; first, 100 IM.
Emily Marshall (11-12 girls): third, 200 free.
Thomas Wakely (13-14 boys): third, 100 fly.
Josh Wilson (9-10 boys): second, 50 fly; third, 50 breast; second, 100 free; second, 50 free; second, 100 IM.
Payten Wilson (11-12 girls): third, 50 fly; second, 100 breast.
WIlson said it was an encouraging year for the Golden Eels in terms of individual growth.
"We always see improvement from the kids. I think this year wasn't different from any year. We expect the kids to grow, they did what we asked them to do, they always seemed to improve and get better. We keep getting faster and faster."
