News Release - Taylor qualifies for Senior nationals leading HYACK at Provincial Champs

July 13, 2003

The BC Provincial Championships held in Kamloops proved to be a hotbed of fierce competition for the over 500 swimmers who attended the meet.

See the SwimDirect website for full results: Full Provincial Meet Results

The swimmers of the Hyack Swim Club were in a hard close battle for third. Having taken only their age group swimmers (16 and younger) and leaving their seniors at home to continue training for up the coming Club Nationals at the end of July, at times made it looked like the Hyacks’ were not going to survive the top-notch competition. But following their club battle cry of "pursuit of competitive excellence" the "veterans" along with the "first-timers" came up big when big was what was needed.

Sabrina Taylor, showed incredible poise and posted a 0:59.32 in the 100m freestyle for the win, earning her 1st Senior National Qualifying standard. She also won the 200, as well as placing third in the 400 free, 800 free and 4th in the 50 free. "Beaner," referring to her nick-name, "comes from a family that thrives on competition" said coach Serge Score. Taylor’s older sister made the 2000 Olympic team and her Mom competes in the grueling Ironman triathlon events and her Dad started his own successful business. "My dad could make house renovations a competitive sport." Taylor said smiling referring to her dads’ hobby.

Hyack swimmers continue to show toughness in tough situation. Twelve year old Michael Cai won the 200 breast stroke against swimmers who were only swimming that one event. For Cai, it was his seventh race on that one day. A day later he went on the win the 100 breast as well by over four and a half seconds.

Tommy Yi, swimming in only his first year with the Hyacks posted his first Club National Qualifying time standard. 11 year old, Kathy Qu, made seven finals, an outstanding feat when you consider she was competing in the 11 and 12 age group. She is the fastest 11 year old in the province for every event that she raced. Brad Reid, 16, is no stranger to the championships. He has been placing in the top three in the 1500 free since he was 12, and has once again shown his resilience by taking silver this year.

The Hyack swimmers will wrap up their season with the Club Nationals in Calgary later this month or with an "in-house" time trial. They also run a summer fitness program for the younger end of the club through the month of August.