As a result, there were no plans to take part in competitions during the season, instead opting focus on skill development and progression rather than diving straight into performance-focussed action in front of judges.
Coach Alysa Beattie said at the time that it would be “a year or two, max” before they’d be skilled and experienced enough to be back in provincial stream events and proving themselves against other competition.
Well, how about five months instead?
A total of 17 swimmers from the club took to the pool during the Sadie Caulder Knight Provincial Stream competition this past weekend in Saskatoon, and the results were outstanding, with all three teams that competed finishing in the top four in their respective divisions.
Leading the way was the team of Emily Boese, Ava Rosso and Macey Binsfeld, who took the first-place ribbon in the 10-and-under division.
Theirs wasn’t the only top three showing, as the team of Callie Klemenz, Abbi Allan, Anna Thorn, Lara Shkuratoff and Tatiana Vickaryous claimed second place in their 13-15 age class.
Also competing in the 10-and-under division was the team of Emma Klemenz, Aspen Olafson, Lauren McMullin, Molly Peterson, Kennedy Saretski, Amina Mnaymneh, Eowyn Hutchinson, Madelyn Adam and Xyra Seargeant, who would put together a fourth-place showing.
In addition to the work of Beattie to prepare the team, the Otters also thanked Raelin Nesvold, Ali Pohl, Myriam Levesque, Samantha McLaren, and coach Sarah Sergeant for their work on the deck at the 15 Wing pool to prepare the youngsters for the event.
The Otters’ season comes to a conclusion on Sunday, Apr. 14 at 5 p.m. with their annual Water Show at the Kinsmen Sportsplex. The event is free to attend with the added bonus of anyone wanting to try out the sport being able to do so after the show.
