Team BC swimmers pull another 14 medals out of the pool
Team BC swimmers stepped onto the podium multiple times again Friday, on the final night of swimming at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.
North Vancouver’s Raben Dommann started off BC’s medal rush with the first race of the evening by winning the 1500m freestyle. Earlier in the week, he also took gold in the 400m and 800m races. “That was my goal coming into the meet just to get on the top of the podium for the 4, 8 and the 15. I am stoked. I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
In the women’s 800m freestyle race, Sophie Lorette (Victoria) took silver and Zoe Froh got bronze.
Bailey Herbert (Langley) claimed gold in 200m individual medley and Acacia Benn (Penticton) won silver in that race. “It was incredible. I was going in just hoping for a best time,” said Herbert.
Jesse Shade of Campbell River won his fifth gold medal of the Games, this time in the 50m freestyle Special Olympics race.”I am running out of words,” said Shade. “It’s been a fast and fun week with a lot of swimming.” Cameron Chambers (Kamloops) won bronze in that race, his third medal of the Games.
Tyler Wall of Penticton won his eighth and ninth medals of the Games adding another gold in the men’s 50m freestyle and a bronze in the final race of the night, the 400m medley relay, with Michael Schmidt (Victoria), Keir Ogilvie (Victoria) and Raben Dommann (North Vancouver). “It’s been a pretty good experience being with the team, I liked it,” said Wall in summing up the Games.
Jessica Luo of Victoria anchored women’s team to a bronze medal in the women’s 400m medley relay. “This has been such an amazing meet. I can’t even put into words on how my heart feels right now.” She will leave Winnipeg with five medals. Haley Klenk (Chilliwack), Bailey Hebert (Langley) and Amanda McCallum (Richmond) were part of that relay.
Other medals Friday for Team BC:
Mikyla Carlow (Cowichan Valley) won silver in the 50m frestyle Special Olympics and Genny Verge (Sechelt) took bronze in that race.
Ariana Hunsicker (Surrey) won two races Friday evening: Para 50m freestyle and Para 200m freestye individual medley.
Quotes
OGILVIE, Keir (Victoria) – 400m men’s medley relay – bronze
On winning his first medal of the Games
“It was my first relay, it was a lot of fun. I was feeling a little bit sore before, but I pushed through. We made it and we got a medal, we’re proud of ourselves.”
DOMANN, Raben (North Vancouver)- 400m men’s medley relay – bronze
“The team atmosphere brought me through. It was so fun to swim with the whole team and get another medal tonight.”
HUNSICKER, Arianna (Surrey)
On winning five bronze medals at the Canada Games
“The whole week has amazing. I dropped personal bests in all my races anywhere from one to 21 seconds. It’s been a great experience. I came in expecting no medals and I ended up with five. It’s cool.”
VERGE, Genny (Sechelt) – 50m freestyle Special Olympics – bronze
On winning three medals at the Canada Games
“Either way, I just really wanted to get a personal best. A medal wasn’t on my mind. But just to be able to race and do so well, really means a lot to me. I am not going to cry, but I am very close.”
CARLOW, Mikyla (Cowichan Valley) 50m freestyle Special Olympics – silver
On her race Friday and the Canada Games experince
“I wanted to get silver. That was my goal. I am so happy for it. It was so amazing and such a great experience and I am glad I was here.”