Titan's Odyssey: Wrapping Up 2023

Our Odyssey Continues

This past weekend was an absolute whirlwind of triumph for our Titans, as they blazed through the water, dropping personal bests like Santa delivering presents around the world on Christmas Eve! They were on a mission to wrap up 2023 with a bang, and they did just that with the enthusiasm of holiday elves putting a bow on a gift.

In Richmond for the Fast Swim Classic, swimmers from all over the lower mainland and even the University of Calgary gathered, each aiming to end the year on a positive note, and we were no exception. Our National, Provincial, and Divisional Development swimmers showcased the true essence of the Ridge Meadows community. Take Ryan Leslie, for example, who blazed through the 50 back in an impressive 29.98 seconds, or Keenan Gander, Kirin Bullock, and Sunny Sandhu, combining forces in the 1500 with a jaw-dropping total time reduction of 1 minute and 11 seconds! Daniel Hai nailed a 4th place finish in the 200 breast, Isabella Hutchinson shaved off nearly 6 seconds in her 400 Free, Brooklyn Tetzlaff cruised through her 100 back, slashing 3 seconds off her time, Denys Tymchuck placing in the top 10 for his events and Pavlo Dolzhenko placing in the top 20.

Yet, it wasn't just our seasoned Titans stealing the spotlight. The younger talents stepped up to the challenge, proving they belonged at these elite meets. Benjamin Chen clinched his divisional standard in the 50 Freestyle with a stellar time of 32.73, Shelby Tetzlaff knocked off 3 seconds in her 400 I.M., and Harriet Biagini showcased her prowess with an impressive 50 fly, clocking 39.44 and dropping a cool 1.5 seconds. Coach Sarah is thrilled, noting there's still room for improvement, which only means one thing – these Titans are destined to go even faster!

Meanwhile, across the Georgia Strait, our Senior Competitive, Divisional, and Regional Development groups embarked on a festive journey to Nanaimo for the NRST Ugly Sweater Invitational. With their ugly sweaters as armor, they not only swam their hearts out but also spread team spirit wherever they went.

Standout performances were the name of the game in Nanaimo, with Charlotte Beatty securing 2 divisional cuts in the 100 Backstroke and 200 Freestyle. Lincoln Jarvis delivered amazing performances making finals in almost all his events, now in the conversation to get his divisional cuts. Rhian Worton made waves by sneaking into the 200 I.M. final, dropping an incredible 3 seconds from her prelim time. Rheneas Noel swam finals in the 50 free and 100 Fly, and showed extraordinary composure during a gear malfunction in the 50 fly. Hannah Maingot delivered best times, especially in the 200 free, shaving off an impressive 6 seconds. While big Kudos go to Emily Olson for demonstrating her fighting spirit in the 200 Breast, and to Maggie Escaravage for her infectious positivity and stellar relay performances by dropping 2 seconds in her 50 free the anchoring the team.

Who were the real MVPS though? Our chaperones – Carrie Groenewald, Heather Escaravage, and Kate Ewasew – who played a vital role in ensuring our Titans could focus on their success by taking care of logistics. We owe the success of the trip to them!

OPA! Almost slipped my mind – we've got our Fast Friday #3, the grand finale for 2023. This time, our time-traveling Titans are transported to Athens 2004, where the Olympic Games returned to the very roots of both the ancient and modern Olympics. Picture the scene at the Athens Aquatic Centre, where true swimming legends – or dare I say, Greek gods – emerged, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Among them, we witnessed the aquatic prowess of none other than Poseidon himself, Michael Phelps from the USA, who clinched his inaugural individual Olympic Gold medals in the 400 I.M., 100 Fly, and 200 Fly. Roland Schoeman from South Africa embodied the swiftness of Hermes with a groundbreaking dive that redefined speed. Following Athena's footsteps, Natalie Coughlin from the USA exemplified her wisdom on how honing underwater skills can elevate one's performance, particularly in events like the 100 Backstroke. And with Zeus-like energy, Yana Klochkova from the Ukraine, thundered in, claiming back-to-back Olympic gold in the 200 and 400 I.M. However, let's set the stage for this Fast Friday – it won't be a tale of the gods of Olympus; it's the Titans' time to shine!

As we reflect on our progress over the past year, it's like standing atop the Acropolis and appreciating the view of our swimming journey. The hunger to learn and improve propels us forward into the new year, ready for the continuing odyssey of 2024!