Members of the Estevan Golden Eels swim club opened their quest for a fifth consecutive provincial summer speed swimming championship Saturday by travelling to Gravelbourg.
Although the Eels only had 10 swimmers attend the meet they still had a great showing, beating their personal bests. Six out of the 10 swimmers came home with overall age group medals.
In nine and 10-year-old girls, Brooke Dzeryk won an overall medal for her age group. In 11 and 12-year-old girls, Jordyn Tarnes won gold and Alianna Young won silver.
Emily Tarnes won gold in 13 and 14-year-old girls.
In 13 and 14-year-old boys, Ethan Elliott won gold and Lucas Dzeryk won silver.
Along with working to defend their provincial title, many of the Eels will be working towards qualifying for the 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games.
In the summer of 2020, the Saskatchewan Summer Games will be held in Lloydminster and this season's race results will determine if a swimmer has qualified for the Games. Each district can send eight male and eight female swimmers, so all athletes in the qualifying ages will be working hard this year to qualify.
Based on the Eels past performance, it is known that the Eels have great skill and ability, so providing they are of the right age to qualify, they will all have a chance at securing times that will be fast enough to make it to the Games.
Eels coach Colin Sutter said he is very excited to watch the swimmers develop over the season. The next meet for the team will be in Swift Current on June 22.
