PICTOU – The Pictou County Mariners Swim Team hosted a very successful Nova Tech Swim Meet at the Fisheries Training Pool on Saturday, Feb. 2.
There were 27 swimmers from the Mariners that participated in the meet, along with athletes from across Northern Nova Scotia. The Nova Tech program is designed to introduce young athletes to competitive swimming, with a focus on fun and skill development. Swimmers begin at the “participation” level and progress, based on time standards, until they qualify for age group swimming.
The Mariners had a great showing at the meet, with many swimmers improving their personal best times and advancing levels. Brooke MacEachern, Brooke Reid, Emily Giles, Ross MacLeod and Sean Carr all posted personal best times in the 100m individual medley, achieving the qualifying standard for the participation level.
Jaime Scott-Barter, Keeley Shipley, Samantha McNeil and Jayden MacEachern all swam a strong race in the 200m individual medley, meeting the Level 1 time standard.
Also in the 200m individual medley, Samara Shepard and Myla Briand greatly improved their personal bests to attain the Level 2 time. Later in the meet, Samara and Myla both swam strong races in the 200m freestyle. They also achieved the Level 2 time in that event, and have now graduated from the Nova Tech program to Age Group swimming.
Issac MacDonald, Lydia Tobin and Korinne MacDonnell all swam personal best times in the 100m individual medley, while Haley MacEachern, Ian Stewart, Madeline MacPhail, Taylor Giles, Samantha Reid and Sarah Scott-Barter all swam the event for the first time, posting great results. Jenna MacLeod and Brennan Marks achieved personal bests in all of their events. Angus MacDougall, Jake Henderson, William Austin, Ben MacDonald and Tess Murray all had strong swims in both the 25m breaststroke and 25m butterfly.
