Three local synchronized swimmers have recently earned an exclusive opportunity to train at an enhanced level with other top athletes and coaches in the sport.
Estevan Mermaids synchronized swimming club athletes Haley Copeland, Gemma Bittman and Hannah Mantei have qualified for the 2016-17 Synchro Saskatchewan Development High Performance Program. In addition to qualifying for the program, Hannah has also been named to the 10-person Synchro Saskatchewan 2016 provincial team and Gemma has qualified for the Synchro Saskatchewan 2016 development team.
“The high performance program is something that Synchro Sask. puts together to help develop the high performers in the province, so it helps develop or identify from a very early age who has extra potential and extra talent and gives them extra training opportunities,” said Brenda Lyons, coach of the Estevan Mermaids. “To have kids from our club in this program is really good because then they go and learn from the best and then we can bring those skills home.”
Hannah, 14, said a swimmer qualifies for the high performance program and the provincial or development team through their participation and marks at different trial meets during the past year. She said these marks place an athlete at a certain point in the provincial standings with a high performance program test event involving figure, routine, fitness and flexibility components on June 11 in Saskatoon determining their final mark.
Hannah finished 10th in the standings earning her a spot on the provincial team that will come together in Canmore, Alberta, from July 10 to 17 for a week-long training camp. This Synchro Saskatchewan team provides additional training hours and skill development for its athletes with a goal of having them participate with the squad at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Gemma’s performance during these trial meets and the final test event earned her a spot on the development team, which is comprised of the next eight top athletes eligible for the 2019 Canada Winter Games, but who may not yet be at the provincial team level. The Synchro Saskatchewan development team provides additional training and development to these swimmers to help them reach this goal starting with a three-day training camp from Aug. 27 to 29 in Saskatoon.
“I hope to become better as an athlete,” said Gemma, 13, about her goal through participating with the team. “Now that I know that I do have the potential, I’m going to try for (the provincial team) next year.”
Gemma said Lyons helped them along immensely this year pushing them to achieve their best in figures and routine. She said one of the major exercises their coach stressed during the season and what helped them to excel was the endurance drill.
“It’s where you do the routine, but if you mess up or someone comes up early or if we do something wrong we have to go back to the beginning,” she said. “Since our pool is a deep tank pool, when we get to the shallow end we have to swim back underwater and then she’ll pause the music and she’ll start again and we’ll just go from the beginning.”
Haley, 11, said the Mermaids began practising last September in the gym before first heading into the water one month later. She said they worked on the routine and figures every practice and her hope is this helps ensure she can take advantage of the opportunity to become a better swimmer through the 26-member high performance program.
“The more training you get the more opportunities you get to maybe even come on a national team,” said Lyons. “It’s pretty huge for us to have a top 10, a top 18 swimmer and Haley in the program because they don’t train here as much as the other kids (in the province) they’re competing against, so (we’re) pretty proud.”
