Estevan Golden Eels host south meet; send athletes to provincials

ESTEVAN — The host Estevan Golden Eels had a strong showing at the southern swim meet July 19 at the Access Communications Aquatic Centre.

Nineteen members qualified for the provincial meet, happening July 26 and 27 in Watrous. They are Zalia Carlson, Willow Van Sickle, Rose Chabot, Lexi Olson, Remi Fornwald, Keomi Mazo, Olivia Walton, Avianna Sacopon, Luke Currie, Daeken Yurkowski, Charlie Pyra, Sarah Pyra, Isabelle Pyra, Rachel Duncan, Sofia Erana-Schmegelsky, Danica Mosley, Mahlyn Bomberak, Jaxton Martens and Remi Fornwald.

Twelve more qualified but are unable to attend: Kyrie Brignall, Maximilian Bauer, Sebastian Martens, Danae Schlamp, Thacia Brignall, Sawyer Bomberak, Cooper Dixon, Jennika Linthicum, Sianna Goudy, Meredith Knoll, Emma Grobbink and Macy Curtis.

Van Sickle was second overall in the seven and eight-year-old girls' division with 26 points accumulated through different events; Mazo was first overall in nine and 10 girls with 28 points; Isabelle Pyra won bronze in girls' 13 and 14 girls with 28 points; and Jennika Linthicum was second in 15-17 girls with 31 points.

Coach Erin Wilson said the Eels are very happy with the athletes' performance.

"We're very lucky to have the facility that we have and the hard-working volunteers. It was a great showing," she said.

Forty-one Golden Eels competed at southerns, giving Estevan one of the largest athlete contingents at the event. Hundreds of athletes from across the south converged on the city for the competition.

The large contingent of volunteers – timers, stroke-and-turn judges, the referees that come into the community – help make the event what it is, she said. It takes many people to make the event happen, more than what would be seen at other competitions.

"We're really blessed, and we should be really proud of that, because it's a large number," said Wilson.