The Battlefords Orcas poolside at the final meet of the swim season. Pictured L-R: Aaron Cherney, Coach Matthew Parker, Elise Morin, Brayden Cherney, Matthew Bell. (Submitted photo/Battlefords Orcas Swim Club)
Riding the wave

Orcas Swim Club wrap season in Moose Jaw

Jun 24, 2022 | 1:26 PM

The Battlefords Orcas Swim Club wrapped their 2021-22 competitive swimming season in Moose Jaw, at the 54th annual Mike Mintenko Summerfest.

Four swimmers from the local club competed at the year-end meet, taking part in 30 swims over two days, establishing 23 new personal-best finishes.

Fourteen-year-old, Brayden Cherney placed first in the boys 15U 50-metre breaststroke and second in the boys 15U 100-metre breaststroke, while achieving personal-bests in all eight of his events.

Eleven-year-old, Aaron Cherney placed fourth in the boys 11-and-under 50-metre breaststroke and set personal bests in seven of his eight events, while 12-year-olds, Matthew Bell achieved a personal best in six of his seven swims, and Elise Morin set two new personal-bests.

Orcas’ coach, Matthew Parker said it was great to see the team have such a strong finish to the season.

“It was a great way to wrap a very strong year,” Parker said. “We had a lot of new swimmers that just started to get involved and started competing this year, so we’ve seen a lot of growth in the swimmers and they’ve done a fantastic job. They’ve been training hard and it really showed.”

Orcas’ swimmers pictured L-R: Brayden Cherney, Aaron Cherney, Matthew Bell, and Elise Morin. (Submitted photos/Battlefords Orcas Swim Club)

As with the end of any athletic club season, the Orcas will say goodbye to key graduating personnel, including this year, the club’s longest-tenured swimmer, Madi Higgs.

“Madi has swam with our club for nine years and has been a great role model to our young swimmers, and especially modeling the virtue of fortitude,” Parker said. “We wish her the best in her schooling and she will be greatly missed.”

The Orcas will now take a couple of months off before returning to the pool in the fall for the start of the 2022-23 season in early September.

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

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