It's a wrap for the 2016, Region E Regionals that took place at the Talisman Centre August 13 and 14.

333 swimmers made a splash, with 31 of those representing the Cochrane Piranhas

Head Coach, Breanna Hendriks, says 18 Piranhas have earned their way to compete in Provincials, August 19-21.

"It was really tight, lots of really close swims. It came down to the little things, the touches, the turns, the dives, that are so important."

Even though a couple relays were disqualified due to little errors, Hendriks shares it is a learning curve for the swimmers.

"Unfortunately it happens, it is what it is. It's a learning experience. it's funny if they do it once, they will probably never do it again."

Hendriks says she was awfully proud of the group who again managed to pull off personal bests.

"Pretty awesome, that they can come after getting so many best times over the season and still go to a big swim meet with lots of pressure and nerves that get in the way, and still get lots of best times."

The following Piranhas have solidified a spot in the up coming Provincials:

  • Ben Barclay placed 1st/gold medal (boys 9/10) in the 25 meter Short Butterfly (Fly); boys 50 meter Long Back and 50 meter Long Fly securing his place at the Provincials.
  • Ben also achieved a 3rd/bronze place finish in the boys 100 meter Short IM event. 
  • Kaitlyn Eiserman placed 2nd/silver medal (girls 7/8) in the 25 meter Freestyle event. She also received a bronze medal for her 3rd place finish in 25 meter Fly.
  • Eli Fitzsimmons placed 3rd/bronze medal(boys &/8) in 25 meter Backstroke.
  • Nicole Gross placed 3rd/bronze medal (girls 13/14) in 50 meter Fly.  
  • Stephanie Gross placed 2nd/silver medal (girls 17 and U) in 1500 meter Freestyle event.
  • Jordyn Johnson placed 1st/gold medal (girls 12 and U) 400 meter Freestyle event as well as a silver medal for the girls 100 meter Freestyle in the same age category.  In the 200 meter Freestyle  and 50 meter Freestyle she also achieved 3rd place finishes taking home bronze medals. 
  • Savanna Knisley placed 2nd/silver medal (girls 7/8) in 25 meter Backstroke. She also achieved a 3rd place finish in the girls 25 meter Freestyle event.
  • Max Kruger placed 2nd/silver medal in boys 50 meter Short Breast and 100 meter Long Breast events.
  • Bria Michalski placed 2nd/silver medal (girls 11/12) in 50 meter Breast event. 
  • Zachary Michalski placed 2nd/silver medal for the boys 200 meter long IM event and a 3rd place finish in the boys 15-17 year old 100 meter Long Free event as well as the 200 meter distance Free.
  • Sarah Nusl placed 1st/gold medal (girls 13/14) in 50 meter and 100 meter Freestyle events along with a 2nd place finish on the 50 meter Short Back.
  • Connor Swedlo placed 1st/gold medal in the 50 meter Short Back and won a silver medal along with his swim in the boys 15-17 year old 100 meter long Back events.
  • Eric Swedlo placed 1st/gold medal swim in 4 preliminary swims and all 4 final events that he swam in this weekend. Swedlo achieved gold medals (boys 13/14) in 50 and 100 meter Breast and in 50 and 100 Freestyle. 

The following relay teams are qualified by virtue of their finishes at relays and other teams may qualify as the Wild Card and Alternate placements are done over the next couple of days:

  • The boys 17&U 200 medley relay team with Connor Swedlo, Eric Swedlo, Zachary Michalski, and Jake Barclay placed 2nd/silver medal.
  • The boys 10&U 100 meter Freestyle steam with Quinn Fitzsimmons, Owen Johnsen, Keegan Lewko, and Aaron Swedlo also won a silver medal.
  • The boys 17& 200 meter Freestyle team with Eric Swedlo, Connor Swedlo, Jake Barclay, and Zachary Michalski achieved a silver medal.
  • 3rd/bronze medal place finishes included the team of Sarah Nusl, Kennedy Michalski, Nicole Gross, and Jordyn Johnson swimming in the girls 14&U 200 meter medley relay.  The same team finished 3rd in the 200 meter freestyle event. 
  • 3rd place/bronze medal place for the team of Kaitlyn Eiserman, Eli Fitzsimmons, Aeden Carnegie, and Savana Knisley in the mixed 8&U freestyle relay.
  • The team of Bryson Hammer,Levi Lewko, Ben Barclay, and Max Kruger placed 3rd in the boys 12&U 200 meter freestyle events.
  • The team of Ben Barclay, Bria Michalski, Max Kruger, and Catherine Swedlo swam to a 3rd place finish in the mixed 200 meter medley relay.

Results for all swimmers can be found here.

The Piranhas have until Friday to practice before heading to Edmonton for Provincials.

Hendriks is optimistic the club will do quite well.

"It is hard to say with medals, you don't know until you get there. But I think we're going to see a lot of great swimming."