This past weekend 15 members of the Courtenay Blue Devils competed in their second meet of the year at the Oak Bay Orcas’ 14th Invitational Swim Meet at the Commonwealth pool in Saanich.
Almost all of the swimmers achieved at least one best time as they worked on technique on their road to regionals at the start of August. Notably, both Joel Baker and Piers Parker achieved 100 per cent best times in their races, and Madelaine Galik took 8.73 seconds off of her 50m fly time.
The highlight of the meet came on Sunday, with the “Splash for Cash” competition. In this race, the top 50 metre freestyle competitor from each of the divisions race in a staggered start to earn a cash prize at the end. Benjamin Galik of the Blue Devils represented Division 1 and then had to swim against higher division competitors, with Division 7 being at least 10 years older.
| Benjamin Galik of the Blue Devils swam in the Splash for Cash race. Photo submitted |
Ben was granted the advantage of starting first with the unenviable task of trying to maintain that lead against all older swimmers. He did the Blue Devils proud, taking two seconds off his best time and finishing mere moments behind the Division 6 and 7 swimmers, capturing fourth place.
“How amazing it was to have him selected and then to have him swim so well,” said assistant coach Kyla DeWitt.
Kyla also recognized the hard work of the entire team and how it “paid off with big technical improvements that brought best times.”
As the Blue Devils enter their home meet this weekend at the Lewis Recreation Centre’s outdoor pool, Kyla is hoping to see more improvements and best times, but along with that to see the team having fun.
“With it being our home meet it is especially important to see lots of team spirit, cheering each other on,” she said.
The Blue Devils Invitational runs both Saturday and Sunday and the community is invited to come stop by the concession and catch some exciting racing action as the Blue Devils take on competition from all over Vancouver Island.
