Strathmore swimmers medal

Times Reporter    

 

Members of Strathmore Silver Sharks Swim Club had plenty to cheer about, as in the case of three local swimmers Madison Laycraft, Morgan Hansen and Boris Kuljanin. All three participants were thrilled to be at the 2014 Summer Games in Airdrie. It was an experience they will not forget.

“It was so exciting, knowing that all the hours of the training paid off and all the hard work was totally worth it,” said Laycraft. She was able to hit the podium three times with a gold, silver and bronze.

The experience will never get better than what she participated in this past weekend.

“It was an amazing experience. The team grew so close and I made many new friends, it was great doing everything together,” said Laycraft. 

Just being in the atmosphere surrounding the games was a pretty surreal feeling and getting to watch other athletes competing was special in itself.

“My favorite part was getting to know all the other Zone 2 swimmers, and being able to share this experience with awesome people, friends and coaches. It was very special receiving a medal for my 400 individual medley and relays.

“It was pretty cool standing on the podium with my teammates.” 

The 13-year-old Laycraft also participates in volleyball, badminton and track at Langdon school.

As for Morgan Hansen, she medalled four times as she got two gold, one silver and one bronze.

“I was delighted to be knowing that I would be participating in the 2014 Alberta Summer Games,” said Hansen.

“Overall the Summer Games was a very exciting experience, to be a part of the Zone 2 team with other swimmers was great, we had excellent coaches that helped us along the giving us advice and supporting us all as a team.”

The 15-year-old Hansen’s primary sport is swimming, and she likes to do as many school sports as she can.

11-year-old Boris Kuljanin had multiple second places en route to  seven medals. Kuljanin liked the fact he was able to bond with his teammates and to meet other competitors.

“Meeting new people and bonding with the team and athletes from other zones and the laughs we shared (was a highlight for me),” said Kuljanin.

When he got the call, Kuljanin could not have been more thrilled to represent his zone. 

“I was literally jumping with joy and I found out two of my teammates also made it, so I was even happier,” he said.