Van Herk’s and Hansen Swim to Gold

Brendan Van Herk led the Blenheim Blast Swim Team last weekend swimming away with four medals from the W.O.S.A. Short Course Championships at the London Aquatic Centre. Brendan won gold in the 12 year old boys 100m backstroke in a time of 1:13.09, which is a Junior Provincial Qualifying time. Brendan also dominated in the 200 backstroke winning gold in a time of 2:39.41. Brendan also received another Junior Provincial time in his silver medal performance in the 200 I.M. finishing the race in a time of 2:40.12. Brendan also won silver in the 200m breaststroke in a time of 3:05.59. Brendan had two fourth place finishes in both the 50 Free (30.15) and 100 Free (1:05.91).

Shania Van Herk (15) raced to gold in the women’s 15 & over 100 m Backstroke in a time of 1:07.02. This personal best time also qualified Shania for Junior Provincials, and also qualified Shania for the Junior Age Group Nationals . Shania also won two bronze medals, finishing third in both the 200m Butterfly in a time of 2:33.25 , and in the 50 Free in a time of 28.20. Shania also placed tenth in the 200 Free (2:12.54)

Ten year old Grace Hansen also won gold, swimming to first place finish in the girl’s 10 year old 100m Butterfly in a time of 1:33.77, which also represents a Provincial Qualifying Time. Grace also won a bronze medal in the 200 I.M. in a time of 3:20.57. Grace finished fourth in both the 100 Breast ((1:45.36) and 50 Free (35.89), and swam to sixth place finishes in the 100 Free (1:221.57) and 400 Free (6:19.74). Grace completed her swims with a seventh place finish in the 100 Back (1:33.04)

Rain Pfaff won a bronze medal in the 12 year old girls 200 backstroke in a time of 2:47.21. Rain went on to place fourth in the 100 Back (1:18.64), fifth in the 100 Breast (1:29.65) and was sixth in the 400 I.M. (6:06.69). Rain had three other top ten finishes at the meet, placing eighth in both the 50 Free and 400 Free, and finishing in ninth place in the 100 Free.

River Pfaff had two top finishes at the meet, finishing in eighth place in the 15 year old men’s 200 m Breaststroke in a personal best of time of 2:57.42. River finished tenth in the 100 m Breast stroke in a time 1:23.41. 8 year old Emma Pegg also had a top ten finish competing in the girls 9 & under 100m I.M. , completing the race in a time of 1:51.78.

The entire team will travel to Leamington February 26 for the next S.E.A.L. meet of the season.