Push for Summer Games

Times Reporter    

 

The end of the swim season is winding down for head coach Jen Mertz and the Strathmore Swim Sharks, but come the next few months, they hope to dominate the Alberta Summer Games once again.

“We sent one swimmer and two alternates on the team last time, and we’re hoping to get that again,” Mertz said. “You can qualify with all the summer sports, so some of our swimmers will be going for triathlon as well.”

The Swim Sharks who participated last year won gold in swimming. The Games are held every two years, this time in Airdrie from July 24-27.

Mertz and her club just completed their first long course meet, and will travel with 26 of her seniors to Lethbridge May 3-4 for the LASC Spring Challenge; 20 of her juniors will be swimming the same days at their last meet of the regular season, the Calgary Killarney.

Come May 28, the Swim Sharks will host their club awards night, dolling out prizes for team spirit, most dedicated, and most outstanding swimmer for the highest FINA score in any age category.

“FINA set the points based on the fastest people in the world, and then it goes down from there. Any individual swimmer who has swam in a race would be given a FINA point for their race,” Mertz said. “We kind of go through, and that’s how we decide our most outstanding swimmer.”

As for the post-season, any 1999 to 2002-born swimmers have Summer Games trials on June 7, followed by provincial trials are on June 17 in Medicine Hat. Swimmers can win individual awards, but can also win banners for their pool.

“That doesn’t necessarily qualify you for any meets, but it’s another great accomplishment,” Mertz said.