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Breakers out in front as always

The little team that could, with 37 members, topped teams of 400 at the AAA Provincial Championships

The Ravensong Breakers — the little club that could — proved itself again at the AAA Provincial Championships.

The local club sent  nine swimmers to the short course (25 metre) edition of the B.C. championships last weekend at the Saanich Commonwealth Pool.

The Breakers participants were Jakob Brager, Jack Confortin, Alexander Gerasimov, Jenna Horton, Tyson Krieger, Alexandra Roberts, Megan Romkes, Camryn Stannard and Ethan Stannard.

A total of 644 of the best swimmers from across British Columbia — representing 50 teams — gathered to compete in the short course swim gala. Forty five teams made it onto the score board.

One of the smallest teams taking part, the Qualicum Beach based Breakers placed 18th in the province.

“That’s the highest of any Vancouver Island team from outside Victoria,” said coach John Campbell.

The little team of 37 even beat the swimming giant, Nanaimo Riptides, which has well over 400 swimmers.

“Standout-Stannard” lead the team with four gold medals in the 200 metre IM (individual medley), 100m freestyle, 50m free and the 200m free.

Camryn Stannard also set three AAA meet records in both the 200’s and the 50 freestyle.

She also earned a silver in the 400m IM and bronze in the 400m free.

“Significantly, her closest Canadian rivals are also from B.C. Nothing like having  your competition right in your backyard,” Campbell said.

Other medalists were Jenna Horton in the 100m fly, where she swam to a silver medal finish, putting her in the top five in the country for her age group.

Alex Gerasimov earned a silver medal in the 100m free and the 50m free.

Next up for the Ravensong Breakers, Campbell said, “Megan Romkes is off to the Canadian Olympic trials in Toronto in the first week of April at the Pan Am pool, while the rest of the team will compete in Nanaimo at a more local meet on the same weekend.”

“As always I’m proud of this little team and I’m always encouraging young kids who want to get into a healthy, life-long sport to swing by the pool (Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach) to try out for the team,” he said.

“Generally our kids range in age from 7-17 and only have to be able to swim to start. The rest is up to the ‘little team that could’.”

“As many of our team resides in Parksville, we always hope there’s a pool in the future, more central to where the majority of kids live in the Oceanside area,” Campbell said.

“With the location of the ice rinks in such an ideal spot we always wonder if a pool might fit in there perfectly. We can dream,” he summed up.

— NEWS staff & submitted