WATROUS — The Estevan Golden Eels made a splash at the 2025 summer swim provincials in Watrous July 26 and 27.
Seventeen Golden Eels were at the competition and they won a combined 31 medals. Compared to the south finals a week earlier in Estevan, Eels swimmers trimmed 66.71 seconds off their overall times.
"I worked really hard over the past week in trying to perfect the stroke. I guess it paid off. From now on, I just need to keep working," said Rachel Duncan, who shaved over five seconds off her 100-metre breaststroke, earning her a silver medal.
While many swimmers brought home medals, others contributed points to the standings, competed in relays or achieved personal bests.
"It was really nice to see the older kids helping the little ones out – they were there to help them with relays, give them tips and overall just cheer them on," said Chelsea Meyer, the mother of first-time Eel Jaxton Meyer. "It was also really nice to see the camaraderie between the swimmers after their heats, even involving other teams.
"Moments that stood out most were definitely the mini meet, realizing just how far the swimmers had come, and also our first relay experience was so much fun. The provincial atmosphere was really positive as well. It really seemed like all of the parents and kids were cheering for each other. It was really nice to see that you had a crowd cheering on the swimmers."
Willow Van Sickle is a first-year swimmer who was first in all of her events at provincials.
"I was nervous when I took my mark, but once I took off I just did it. Once I touched the wall I was tired and proud; some of the races it was very close so for some we had to wait to see the time. Once I saw the results I was so happy and very excited," said Van Sickle.
Coach and club president Scott Walton said: "We had an awesome swim season with some great individual performances and a lot of team success but for me, the best part of every season is watching the kids grow – not just as talented athletes in the pool, but as young people. It’s a privilege to be part of that.
"Equally rewarding is getting to know all the amazing swim families. Our club continues to grow and the community around this club is something really special. It’s what makes all the practices and busy weekends all worth it."
Results were as follows:
Willow Van Sickle, seven and eight girls: Gold in the 50-metre backstroke, 50-metre freestyle, 25-metre backstroke, 25-metre freestyle and 100-metre freestyle relay.
Lexi Olson, seven and eight girls: Silver in the 100-metre medley relay, seventh in 25-metre backstroke, ninth in 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre freestyle, and 10th in 25-metre freestyle.
Rose Chabot, seven and eight girls: Fourth in the 50-metre backstroke and fifth in 25-metre backstroke.
Zalia Carlson, seven and eight girls: Ninth in the 25-metre breaststroke.
Remi Fornwald, seven and eight girls: Eighth in the 25-metre butterfly and 11th in 50-metre freestyle.
Jaxton Meyer, seven and eight boys: Silver in the 100-metre freestyle relay, sixth in 50-metre freestyle, ninth in 25-metre freestyle and disqualified in 100-metre medley relay.
Keomi Mazo, nine and 10 girls: Gold in the 200-metre medley relay, silver in 200-metre freestyle relay, 100-metre individual medley and 100-metre freestyle, bronze in 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre breaststroke, and fourth in 25-metre butterfly.
Sofia Erana-Schmegelsky, nine and 10 girls: Bronze in the 100-metre freestyle relay and 200-metre medley relay, fourth in 100-metre breaststroke, sixth in 25-metre butterfly and 50-metre breaststroke, seventh in 100-metre individual medley and eighth in 50-metre freestyle.
Luke Curtis, nine and 10 boys: Silver in the 200-metre freestyle relay, fifth in 100-metre backstroke and 25-metre fly, sixth in 50-metre backstroke, seventh in 100-metre individual medley, eighth in 50-metre freestyle; and DQ in 200-metre medley relay.
Olivia Walton, 11 and 12 girls: Gold in the 50-metre backstroke, silver in 100-metre backstroke, seventh in 100-metre freestyle and 25-metre butterfly, and a DQ in 200-metre freestyle relay.
Charlie Pyra, 11 and 12 girls: Silver in the 200-metre medley relay, bronze in 50-metre butterfly, fourth in 50-metre freestyle, sixth in 25-metre butterfly, seventh in 50-metre breaststroke, eighth in 100-metre freestyle and a DQ in 200-metre freestyle relay.
Danica Mosley, 13 and 14 girls: Bronze in the 200-metre medley relay, sixth in 100-metre breaststroke and 100-metre backstroke, and seventh in 200-metre breaststroke.
Isabelle Pyra, 13 and 14 girls: Gold in the 100-metre breaststroke and 50-metre breaststroke, silver in 200-metre medley relay, bronze in 200-metre individual medley and 200-metre freestyle relay, and fourth in 50-metre butterfly and 50-metre freestyle.
Daeken Yurkowski, 13 and 14 boys: Seventh in the 50-metre butterfly and 50-metre freestyle, and ninth in the 100-metre freestyle.
Rachel Duncan, 15-plus girls: Silver in the 100-metre breaststroke, 200-metre breaststroke, 200-metre medley relay and the 200-metre freestyle relay, bronze in the 200-metre individual medley, fourth in the 50-metre butterfly and fifth in the 100-metre butterfly.
Mahlyn Bomberak, 15-plus girls: Bronze in the 200-metre medley relay, fifth in the 200-metre breaststroke, sixth in the 200-metre freestyle and the 200-metre backstroke, eighth in the 100-metre breaststroke and 10th in the 100-metre freestyle.
Sarah Pyra, 15-plus girls: Fourth in the 200-metre freestyle relay, seventh in the 100-metre breaststroke and the 50-metre freestyle, ninth in the 100-metre butterfly, 10th in the 50-metre butterfly and a DQ in the 50-metre breaststroke.
The Eels are encouraging youths to join the club or become a sponsor next season by reaching out to them via Facebook or emailing them at [email protected].
