Dolphins swim personal bests and firsts at two recent meets

Quinte Dolphins made a splash at the meet in Markham

By Christy Latchford
Quinte Dolphin Swim Club members battled howling wind and rain on their trek to the Markham Aquatic Club’s Rising Stars competition earlier this month – but prevailed in the water of their choice.

The Dolphins, who train out of the Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre, sent at team of five to Markham’s second annual meet. The event was the Dolphins’ third long course meet of the season and featured 31 individual swims producing 18 personal best times set, and eight first time swims completed.

Taking the lead at this meet was Matthew Petracca who narrowly missed two Eastern Regional Qualifying times while swimming to six personal bests and six top four finishes including one first, a second and three thirds.

Pushing Matthew all the way was McKinley Miller with four personal best times and seven top six finishes including one first and two thirds.

Not to be left out of the podium positions was Siobhan who had three personal best times and a second place finish in the 200 back in her first long course attempt.

In the age 11 and under group, Abby Latchford was competitive in her first long course meet swimming six times while, Ceila Reynolds continued to show improvement in the 50 meter pool with five personal best times, including an 11-12 year old club record in the 200 breast and one first time swim.

Quinte Dolphins back in action at the CFB Kingston pool

For the first time in a number of years, Dolphins also swam with the Kingston Sharks at the Spring Splash at April’s end.

Six Dolphins attended the meet at CFB Kingston, competing in a total of 27 events. When the waters had calmed, 13 new personal best times were set and six first time swims had been completed.

A Quinte Dolphin receives words of encouragement.

Olivia Demianuchuk set four personal bests, swam two new events and finished in the top 10 twice. Also swimming well was Kate Jones with two personal best swims, two new events and one top 10. Close on her heels was Abby Latchford with four personal bests and an 11th place finish.

In the age 12 and older group McKinley Miller swam his first 400m individual medley and finished fourth with an Eastern Region qualifying time. Matthew Petracca who came to the pool from a full day working towards his Bronze Cross, finished second in the 400 free while Ty Lavers swam to two personal best times and four top 10 finishes.