Olympic & Paralympic Trials - DAY 1 Recap

 

What a start to the Trials! Reid Maxwell helped start the week off on the best possible note with a Gold medal in the para 100m Butterfly. In all Keyano had 9 swims on Day 1. One thing to note for those unfamiliar with competitions at such a high level meet is that best times are not the only game to be played. For those trying to make a team, there may be risks to be taken that have the potential for faster times but don't always pan out. There are also many swimmers whose best swim times are generally from local championships in big Finals - it is a different experience to come to an Olympic Trials and see yourself ranking 35th instead of 5th going into your race. Swimming close to a best time in a preliminaries is a big accomplishment here and we are proud of the risk these swimmers take to give it their all at the biggest meet that many of these swimmers have ever attended. 

 

A quarter of Keyano's swimmers at the Trials have already posted a Top 20 result!

One of Keyano's deepest events at these Trials, Diego Paz was our first Finalist of the weekend making it into the B Final and finishing 1.1sec faster than his prelims to finish with a time of 4:04.65 in 19th place. In the prelims, Andrew Chilton had a great swim right on his previous best in a time of 4:09.97 for 28th place and Zackary Bowie competed in the Junior section of the Trials and finished in a time of 4:06.26 good for 13th place.

 

Keeping with Keyano's strength in numbers in the freestyle events on Day 1, Keyano had too women in the 400 Freestyle. Shayne Bowie finished in a time of 4:33.87 for 53rd place and Eleaunah Phillips competed in the Junior section of the Trials and finished in a time of 4:29.78 for 19th place. 

 

Reid Maxwell's first event of the weekend was an experience of a lifetime for Reid, as he qualified for the Final of the 100 Fly in 3rd place. In the Finals, Reid pulled out the fastest S8-category 100m Butterfly in Canadian history with a time of 1:06.34 for a  Gold medal and Canadian Record ! This swim will give Reid consideration for the Paralympic Team, however, he must wait until the final night of competition at the Trials for the official announcement of the swimmers named to the national team. 

 

Jasmine Lowal swam her first ever Trials race and was very near her best time, finishing in a time of 1:05.03 and the 48th-placed Junior. 

 

Garrett Brendzan was very near his best finishing in a time of 1:05.53 for 40th place. Cohen Chan was also right on his best time with a 1:06.68 and the 28th-placed Junior.