Taber Viper Swim Club cleans up at provincials in Edmonton

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Taber Times

By Garrett Simmons
Taber Times

The Taber Viper Swim Club racked up the medals last month at the Alberta Summer Swimming Association provincials in Edmonton.

In total, 35 Vipers competed and brought home 34 medals.

The complete list of medal winners are as follows:

Charlotte Ausmus:

Silver— Girls 10&U 100 meter free relay.

 Kaylee Bruce:

Silver— Girls 11-12 200 meter free

Silver— Girls 12&u 200 meter medley relay

Bronze— Girls 12&u 200 meter free relay.

 Morgan Bruce:

Silver— mixed 17&u 200 meter medley relay.

 Chase Egeland:

Silver— mixed 17&u 200 meter medley relay

Silver— boys 14&u 200 meter medley region F relay

Silver— boys 14&u 200 meter free region F relay.

 Annika Hall:

Silver— girls 8&u 100 meter free relay.

 Kaylee Hutzul:

Bronze— Girls 13-14 200 meter free

Silver— mixed 17&u 200 meter medley relay.

 Sierra Kallen:

Silver— girls 8&u 100 meter free relay.

 Dexter Leishman:

Bronze— Boys 9-10 100 meter IM

Silver— Boys 9-10 200 meter free.

 Hazel Leishman:

Silver— girls 8&u 100 meter free relay.

 Brook Mills:

Silver— girls 10&u 100 meter free relay.

 Elizabeth Ostrop:

Bronze— Girls 11-12 50 Meter Fly

Silver— Girls 11-12 100 Meter IM

Gold— Girls 11-12 50 Meter Back

Gold— Girls 11-12 50 Meter Free

Silver— Girls 12&U 200 Meter Medley Relay

Bronze— Girls 12&U 200 Meter Free Relay .

Keira Payne:

Gold— Girls 9-10 25 Meter Fly

Gold— Girls 9-10 50 Meter Fly

Silver— Girls 9-10 200 Meter Free

Silver— Girls 10&U 100 Meter Free Relay

 Harper Turcato:

Silver— girls 8&u 100 meter free relay.

 Ryder Unrau:

Silver— Boys 14&u 200 meter free region F relay.

 Dawn Velarde:

Silver— Girls 12&u 200 meter medley relay

Bronze—Girls 12&u 200 meter free relay

 Don Velarde:

Silver— Mixed 17&u 200 meter medley relay.

 Eisley Whipple:

Silver— girls 10&u 100 meter free relay.

 Emersyn Whipple:

Silver— girls 12&u 200 meter medley relay

Bronze— girls 12&u 200 meter free relay.

Taber’s most outstanding swimmers at provincials were Elizabeth Ostrop and Keira Payne, as each brought home two gold medals in individual events.

“Elizebeth dominated in the girls 11-12 category. She medaled in every event she competed in,” said Maria Hughes, president Taber Viper Swim Club. “Keira dominated in the girls 9-10 category. She competed in five events, medaled in four and placed fourth in one event. This was Keira’s first year swimming competitively and she dominated in butterfly, which is arguably the most difficult stroke in competitive swimming.”

Before the big provincial meet, the Region F Championship swim meet was held in Pincher Creek. In that meet, 45 Taber Vipers competed and brought home 159 medals in total.

Provincials and regionals put a wrap on a successful season for the club, one which seeks to impart valuable lessons to its athletes.

“The TVSC creates exceptional lifelong swimmers and teaches members the value of hard work, dedication, goal setting, teamwork, sportsmanship and a healthy active lifestyle,” said Hughes. “It builds confidence in each swimmer and creates friendships within the club and region. Nearly all of our youth swimmers become lifeguards.”

The lessons are making a difference, as the club continues to be popular.

“Taber Viper Swim Club has seen a steady increase in registration numbers over the past few years,” said Hughes. “This year, we had 59 swimmers — 51 were children/youth and eight were masters (18+). This is approximately 10 more children/youth than last year and five more masters.”

Coaches this year were Kristen Irvine (from Lethbridge), Dion Velarde (a former Viper) and Rebecca Carver (also a former Viper).