The Cochrane Water Ninjas are the new national pool lifesaving champions after a stellar performance in Fort. McMurray over the weekend.
The team took 25 athletes to the 2022 National Pool Lifesaving Championships and every single athlete got to celebrate in a gold medal ceremony.
For the majority of the swimmers, racing preliminaries in the morning and then turning around and racing finals in the afternoon was brand new, says Head Coach Marlee Palmer. She says each athlete played an instrumental role in the victory.
"Most of the athletes raced 16 to 18 times over two days (four sessions) where they put their endurance and stamina to the test," she says.
"They were really fun races," says assistant coach Matt Johnson. "Everyone of our athletes performed extremely well at a high level and it was nice to see. It was amazing."
"It's a bonus that we did so well that we were ranked first, but that is secondary to how well the athletes performed. It certainly wasn't our primary objective to go win the top nationals, but, hey, we'll take it."
He says there were close races throughout the event, and a Drayton Valley team proved to be their closest rival.
"Every single ounce and breath put into swimming definitely helped. There was very tight competition."
Becoming national champions illustrates how the club has blossomed over the years. In 2019, they sent four athletes to Markham, ON for the nationals.
The Water Ninjas are knocking on the door of having 100 members and have continued to grow each season. They've been training hard since September and are closing their season on a high note.
The national championship follows their double win at April's provincial championship.
Top 3 place finishes:
200 Obstacle Swim: Jonathon Roth, 3rd, men's open; Marlee Palmer, 3rd, women's open.
4x50 Obstacle Relay:
Women’s 15-18: 2nd, Danielle Billings, Eli Swedlo, April Bushrod, and Hannah Billings
Men’s 15-18: 1st, Clark Anton, Aaron Swedlo, Brock Gilbert, and Max Kruger
Line Throw:
Women’s 15-18: 3rd, Danielle Billings and Alana Martens
Men’s 15-18: 3rd, CJ Washburn and Max Kruger
Men’s Open: 1st, Matt Johnston and Tony Moores
100m Rescue Medley
Women’s Open: 1st, Marlee Palmer
Men’s Open: 2nd: Matt Johnston
100m Tow with Fins
Men’s 15-18: 3rd, Jack Dunse
100m Carry with Fins
Women’s 15-18: 2nd, Eli Swedlo
Women’s 15-18: 3rd, Alana Martens
200m Superlifesaver
Women’s Open: 1st, Marlee Palmer
4x25m Manikin Carry Relay
Women’s 15-18: 2nd, Danielle Billings, Olivia Bodnar, Heidi Moores, and Hannah Billings
Women’s Open: 2nd place, Marlee Palmer, Allyson Billings, Amy Swedlo, and Melanie Martin-Quevillon
Men’s 15-18: 1, Clark Anton, Chase Yorke, Jack Dunse, and Brock Gilbert
Men’s 15-18: 3, CJ Washburn, Max Kruger, Owen Rose, and Aaron Swedlo
Men’s Open: 3rd, Tony Moores, Alex Fisher, Ian Kruger, Brad Gilbert
50m Manikin Carry
Women’s Open: 3rd, Marlee Palmer
Men’s Open: 2nd, Matt Johnston
4x50 Medley Relay
Women’s 15-18: 2nd, Eli Swedlo, April Bushrod, Heidi Moores, and Alana Martens
Men’s 15-18: 2, Chase Yorke, Owen Rose, Max Kruger, and CJ Washburn