Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
NIPAWIN — The Nipawin Lions Swim Club continued its tradition of success at the Saskatchewan provincial swimming championships, with athletes earning multiple medals and setting two provincial records at the Lawson Aquatic Centre in Regina on July 25 and 26.
Fourteen swimmers represented the club at the provincial competition, while several additional athletes qualified but were unable to attend.
The club, which has operated since the 1970s, currently includes 43 swimmers, consisting of 10 Little Lions swimmers aged five and six and 33 competitive swimmers aged seven and older.
NLSC president Kristin Schlechte told SaskToday the club was pleased with its athletes’ performances at provincials.
Among the standout results was Leah Hosaluk, who captured four individual medals in the girls’ 13-14 division and helped establish two provincial records in relay events.
Hosaluk earned silver in the 200-metre backstroke and bronze medals in the 100-metre backstroke, 100-metre butterfly and 200-metre individual medley. She was also part of the gold-medal-winning 200-metre medley relay and 200-metre freestyle relay teams, both of which set provincial records.
The Nipawin club saw swimmers reach the podium in several age categories.
In the girls’ 15-17 division, Taya Snorro earned bronze medals in the 200-metre medley relay and 200-metre freestyle relay. Kinsey Peifer also contributed to the bronze-medal performance in the 200-metre freestyle relay.
Royce Cumming had a successful meet in the boys’ seven-to-eight division, winning gold medals in the 100-metre freestyle relay and 100-metre medley relay.
Vincent Goertzen also reached the podium in relay competition. He earned bronze in the 200-metre medley relay in the boys’ 11-12 category and another bronze in the 200-metre freestyle relay in the boys’ 13-14 division.
In the 18-and-over category, Sandra Grayson captured silver medals in the 200-metre freestyle and 200-metre individual medley, while also earning bronze as part of a 200-metre freestyle relay team.
Other swimmers representing Nipawin at the provincial championships were Tenley Snorro, Kalayha Rudy, Charlotte Schlechte, Kristine Duff, Nick Schlechte, Theo Goertzen and Liam Wolowski.
The club’s coaching staff includes head coach Tedi Cherepuschak, along with Tawni Cherepuschak and Kinsey Peifer.
Schlechte said the provincial results reflect the hard work and dedication shown by athletes and coaches throughout the season.
The Nipawin Lions Swim Club has been a fixture in the community for decades and continues to provide competitive swimming opportunities for young athletes from Nipawin and the surrounding area.
