Jakob Mbobela has found the competition on Vancouver Island to be a step up since moving here from Indonesia last year. But the 13-year-old proved up to the challenge at last weekend’s Vancouver Island Zone short-course regional swimming championships at the Comox Aquatic Centre.
Mbobela established personal bests in seven separate events and gained the finals in several of them to share the Ravensong Breakers Swim Club’s Golden Kickboard Award with teammate Megan Romkes in the three-day meet.
“The competition here is very good,” said Mbobela, who competed for the Jakarta Aqua Dragons before relocating to the mid-Island with his family. “It challenges you as a swimmer to get better times.”
Mbobela was one of 15 Breakers who qualified for the Regional Zone championships, and one of just two first-time competitors in the meet. He admitted to a case of butterflies when he began competing, but said described them as welcome at the starting block.
“It’s kind of good to be nervous, because it gives you adrenalin,” he said. “It’s more important to just be confident in your ability.”
Montana Krieger anchors the Ravensong Breakers girls 200-metre medley relay team in the 16-under final during the Vancouver Island Regional swimming championships in Courtenay Friday evening. — Image credit: J.R. Rardon/PQB NEWS
Romkes, 17, set career-best times in four events while winning the Vancouver Island regional title in the 100- and 200-metre butterfly, coming from behind for a dramatic win in the 200 according to Breakers coach Byron Trajan.
Also reaching the top of the podium for the Ravensong club was 12-year-old standout Camryn Stannard, a nationally ranked age-group swimmer who won the girls 200 individual medley, the 50 and 100 freestyle, the 100 and 200 butterfly, the 100 breast stroke and the 200 backstroke.
The small Breakers club showcased its traditional excellence, with a strong showing on the podium. Medalists included Lochlan Rogers (11), who earned silver in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke and bronze in the 100 and 200 freestyle and the 200 IM; Jakob Brager (13) with a silver in the 200 freestyle; Jenna Horton (12) grabbing silver in the 400 IM and bronze in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke; Nick Bennett (13) with a bronze in the 50 breaststroke; Alexandra Roberts (15) with bronze in the 800 freestyle; and Ethan Stannard (14) earning bronze in the 1,500 freestyle.
The club’s next competition will be in Campbell River on Jan. 28, and the following day the team will host its annual 5K Swimathon fundraiser from 7-10 a.m. at Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach. Many of the club’s top swimmers will then move on to either the Provincial AA championships, Feb. 16-19 in Chilliwack, or the Provincial AAA championships, March 2-5 in Victoria.
Jenna Horton of the Ravensong Breakers swims the breaststroke leg of the girls 16-under 200-metre medley relay during the Vancouver Island Regional swimming championships in Courtenay Friday. — Image credit: J.R. Rardon/PQB NEWS