The Cochrane Piranhas wrapped up their season with another strong performance, returning with 20 medals and 10 new club records at the Aug. 18 to 20 provincials of the Alberta Summer Swimming Association (ASSA).

Swimmers hit the podium multiple times, earning 11 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals in the three-day meet at the Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton.

Thirty-eight swimmers qualified for provincials at regionals the week before and competed against swimmers from 52 other swimmer swimming clubs from across Alberta.

Head coach Amy Swedlo says many of them were making their first appearance at provincials and continued to build upon their success the week before.

“Many swimmers swam best times," she says, "just incredible considering many of those best times were only set the week prior. We're so proud of these kids.”

Here are some of the highlights of the provincials.

Relays

  • Boys 13-14 took silver in the 200m free: Swimmers led off by Oliver Johnson, Alex Broz, Will Wiebach and anchored by Caebri Smith. Oliver Johnson took the 50m-free club record in this event with a 26.45.
  • The boys 12 and under in the 200m free and the 200m medley took bronze in both. Both teams consisted of Reid Boukall, Rylan Carnegie, Sam Cheverie, and Evan Thibodeau.

10 New club records were added to the history books:

  • Men's open category in the 200m medley of Issac Thibodeau, Aaron Swedlo, Max Kruger, and Tony Koo took the new club record in 2:02.77.
  • Men's open category in 200m free of Aaron Swedlo, Tony Koo, Bryson Hammer, and Isaac Thibodeau set the new club record of 1:49.36

Individual new club records:

Lennon Arsenault: female, 7-8, 50m back: beat her own club record set at regionals with a time of 49.50.

Soleil Pugliese: female,15-17, 100m breast: 1:25.06. It replaces a record previously held by Bria Michalski in 2019.

Caebri Smith: male,13-14, 800m free replaces his own record set at regionals with a time of 9:54 68.

Caebri Smith: male, 13-14, 200m free replaces his own record set at regionals with a time of 2:11.93.

Caebri Smith: male, 13-14, 400m free replaces his own record set at regionals with a time fo 4:43.88.

Oliver Johnson: male, 13-14, 50m free replaces a record from 2012 set by Erik Nusl with a time of 26.45.

Oliver Johnson: male, 13-14, 100m fly replaces his own record from regionals with a time of 1:04.38.

Oliver Johnson: male, 13-14, 100m IM replaces his own record from regionals with a time of 1:06.03

Oliver Johnson: male, 13-15, 200m IM replaces his own record from regionals with a time of 2:25.69

Max Kruger: male, 18 & over, 50m back replaces his own record from regionals with a time of 31.94

Regional Relays: 

Many of the Cochrane Piranhas swam in regional relays for Region E. Teams are made up of the fast qualifiers. It's the only time during the season these relays consist of swimmers from other clubs who would ordinarily be racing against. 

Several Piranhas medalled in these relays.

Medley relays:

  • Lennon Arsenault won gold with her medley relay team in girls 7&8.
  • Oliver Johnson won gold with his medley relay team in boys 13&14.
  • Reid Boukall won silver with his medley relay team of 12 &under.
  • Eli Swedlo won silver with the medley relay team of 18 & over.
  • Winning bronze were Aaron Swedlo and Tony Koo in the boys 15-17 and Max Kruger in 18 and over.

Free relays:

  • Rylee Bashow and Kenzie Moring won gold in 13&14 female.
  • Sam Cheverie won gold in boys 12 &under 
  • Soleil Pugliese won gold in 15-17 female
  • Evelyn Josiak won silver in girls 7-8 free relay
  • Will Wiebach won silver with his boys 13-14 free relay team
  • Isaac Thibodeau and Bryson Hammer won bronze with their 18 & over free relay team

piranhas 2

After a fast and furious three-month season, all that's left to wrap up is the club's AGM and club awards.

The Piranhas begin training for the 2024 season in May. Swim meets begin in June and the season culminates with provincials in August.

Those interested in joining the Cochrane Piranhas for its 2024 Summer season can reach out to registrarpiranhas@gmail.com or visit its website at https://cochranepiranhas.swimtopia.com/

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