The Estevan Mermaids synchronized swimming team kicked off their season in Moose Jaw on the weekend, attending the Synchro Saskatchewan development camp and competing at the Marnie Eistetter Figure Meet on Saturday and Sunday.
Several Mermaids coaches, athletes and volunteers also won awards.
The weekend was highlighted by the attendance of former Stanford University and Saskatoon Aqualenes athlete Jessica Guenther. She was on Canada's national team for three years and travelled internationally, earning numerous awards and a university scholarship.
Eight members of the club earned awards.
Brenda Lyons was named the Sadie Caulder Knight coach of the year, which is Synchro Saskatchewan's most prestigious coaching award.
She earned it through her dedication to coaching at all levels and mentoring new coaches. Under her direction, the Mermaids have grown in size and are a competitive force in the province.
Anna Rose Lawrence was named recreational athlete of the year. She has been swimming with the Mermaids for six years and also coaches other recreational athletes.
Shannon Wanner won the masters athlete of the year award. She began swimming again last season after a 20-year hiatus.
Caron Pingert and Gisele Poirier earned volunteer service awards for three to five years of service to the sport, while Audrey Dahl and Brian Smith were honoured for eight to 10 years of service.
Nicole Thievin was named the recreational coach of the year. She has coached with the Mermaids for five years and has taught Estevan's athletes strong fundamental skills.
Of the eight Mermaids who qualified for the provincial high performance program last year, Hannah Mantei was named the top 11-year-old and Mackenzie Dahl earned a spot on the top-10 provincial team. Danika Poirier (top 13-year-old) and Tracy Irwin (top 16-year-old) received flex testing awards.
The meet itself featured 192 competitors. In the 11-12 category, Nyla Dyck was fifth with a score of 51.165, Mantei was sixth (50.667) and Gemma Bittman was eighth (49.835).
Racquelle Gibbons was fifth in the novice category with a score of 46.415.
In the 13-15 division, Poirier was ninth (54.333) and Brooke Kruger was 11th (53.667). In the 16-18 category, Hannah Whitman was second (56.415), Kelsey Potoma was third (55.665) and Irwin was fourth (55.483).
