Vipers medal at provincials

TIMES FILE PHOTO

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

Taber Viper Swim Club made its presence felt at provincials in Edmonton this past weekend where a handful of locals earned medal-winning times.

Jessica Anderson’s top finishes were fifths for 11-and-12-year-old girls in 50-metre fly (34.96) and 100-metre backstroke (1:20.67).

“There were some swimmers who showed up and did awesome,” said Teri Cook, head coach of the Taber Viper Swim Club.

Morgan Bos recorded eighth -place times in 50-metre fly (33.51), 100-metre fly (1:21.27), and 50-metre freestyle (30.88) for 13-and-14-year-old girls.

Olivia Bos had a bronze-medal finish in 50-metre breaststroke (39.98).

Chance Cook competed in the 13-and-14-year-old boys field and took silver in 50-metre freestyle (26.47).

Carrie Ross clocked in fourth in both 800-metre freestyle (14:04.89) and 1,500-metre freestyle (27:02.44) for 18-and-over girls.

Renae Saunders was golden in her 50-metre fly event with a top time of 31.15 seconds for 15-to-17-year-old girls.

Tayla Silver’s top finish was 12th in 50-metre freestyle (32.69) for 11-and12-year-old girls.

Jayda Tymko’s top result was a 16th in 50-metre backstroke (53.84) for seven-and-eight-year-old girls.

In the same category, Petra Tymko took a ninth in 25-metre backstroke.

Darci Wright earned four medals in her 11-and-12-year-old field, taking gold in 50-metre freestyle (30.12) and 100-metre freestyle (1:06.57) and silvers in 50-metre fly (33.63), and 100-metre fly (1:17.77).

“There have been a few kids here and there that have got four medals (at provincials) in individual events, but it doesn’t happen very often,” said Cook. “It takes a lot of dedication and training to get that good.”

Beyond the medal finishers were also the Vipers that pushed themselves as they strived for personal-best times on the summer swim season’s largest stage.

“The swimmers were very mentally calm. They kept their mind in the game and didn’t get freaked out about it,” said Cook. “It showed in the pool and they got best times. All the swimmers throughout the year worked very hard, and they deserved every ribbon and medal they got throughout the season.”

Taber Viper Swim Club will be holding its year-end awards ceremony on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the W.R. Myers library.