Vipers make big splash

WATER WORKS: Taberites got to be part of the World’s Largest Swim Lesson (WLSL) initiative last Thursday at the Taber Aquafun Centre. The World's Largest Swimming Lesson is a promotional event designed to build awareness and generate local and national press attention about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent drowning. Local WLSL events took place at hundreds of locations in more than 20 countries on five continents over the course of 24 hours. TIMES PHOTO BY GREG PRICE

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

There was a strong presence at the Lethbridge Orcas meet over the weekend, with the Taber Viper Swim Club breaking the 30-participant mark.

Jessica Anderson had trio of first-place finishes competing in the field for 13-and-14-year-old girls.

She had top finished in 100-metre fly (1:27.61), 100-metre backstroke (1:19.15), and 50-metre backstroke (36.74).

She also took second place in 50-metre fly (34.85).

Heston Bevans’ top finish was second for 100-metre breaststroke (1:46.46) for 11-and-12-year-old boys.

For 50-metre breaststroke, Bria Hall earned second place (1:07.64) for seven-and-eight-year-old girls.

Adison Hutzul managed a third-place time in 200-metre freestyle (3:29.96) in the field of nine-and-10-year-old girl swimmers.

Evan Klemen topped the field for 100-metre freestyle (1:27.32) for 11-and-12-year-old boys.

He also clocked a second-place time in 100-metre backstroke (1:37.02).

Benson Leishman finished with top time in 25-metre backstroke (22.20) for nine-and-10-year-old boys.

Tayla Silver earned two third-place times in her 13-and-14-year-old girls field. They included 50-metre backstroke (37.88) and 100-metre freestyle (1:17.43).

For seven-and-eight-year-old boys, Ryder Unrau took third for 25-metre freestyle (21.63).

Dion Velarde was all over the podium, with a first-place time in 50-metre breaststroke, second place for 100-metre backstroke (1:21.42) and a third place in 50-metre backstroke (37.45) competing in 13-and-14-year-old boys.

Don Velarde’s times competing in nine-and-10-year-old boys included second-place finishes in both 25-metre breaststroke (24.30) and 50-metre backstroke (51.32). He was also third in both 50-metre freestyle (43.15) and 25-metre backstroke (23.34).

Darci Wright had the strongest performance among Viper swimmers for placings, financing first in many events, including 50-metre freestyle (30.75), 100-metre freestyle (1:08.99), 25-metre freestyle (13.98) and 50-metre fly (34.66) for 13-and-14-year-old girls. She also took second in 50-metre backstroke (36.86).

Next meet for the Taber Viper Swim Club is when Taber hosts Southern Alberta Summer Games July 4-7. Viper competition starts July 6 at the Taber Aquafun Centre.