PCS Athletes Score Big For Team BC at West Can Games

Fort McMurray, Alberta

After two days of competition Team BC is out front in the pool and the four PCS swimmers in the 30 strong contingent have made a big splash with 4 gold 2 silver and a bronze. The BC team has been loud and proud and lead by 31 points with one day in the pool and one day at the open water venue to go.

Day one: Rachel Sawchuk (57.8) and Lucas Tyler (52.2) had PB's in 100m FR but did not advance (only two from each province/territory advance to finals). Lauren Crisp had a best in 100m BK concluding in fourth. Her time established a regional 15-17 and Club 15-17 and Senior record (1:01) routing the previous by 0.1s (N Dryden '92). Molly Gowans took her first gold in 1500m FR going away (16:42) and lead the 4x200m FR team to Gold (8:04). The end of day one saw BC in a slight lead.

Day two: Lucas Tyler went second on the 4x50 Medley Relay for silver and stroked to his second medal minutes later in 200m FL (2:01) taking silver just behind BC teammate Colin Gilbert of Kamloops. Rachel Sawchuk had another PB in the prelims in 50m FR (26.9). In 200m BK, Lauren Crisp (2:10.4) moved up to the bronze medal establishing more records Club 15-17 and Senior and closing in on the Prov mark (2:08). Gowans was right behind and 0.1s over her prelim PB for fourth (2:12.2).

Five minutes later, Gowans (4:10.4) stepped on the blocks to decisively claim her third gold in 400m FR swimming away from second place BC teammate MacKenzie Padington of Campbell River. In the process, she broke more records (Club 15-17 and Senior). Another 10 min later, Molly Gowans took the blocks once more and showing her fitness, anchored the 4x100 FR Relay BC team to gold (3:43).  Gowans, Crisp and Tyler are on their third competition in as many weeks and have shown PCS grit and resiliency in continuing to perform and gain experience competing at multi-day competitions. 

At the end of day two, BC had stretched their lead and looks poised to take the competition down tomorrow.

Final day of competition begins 9:30am MST. Results can be found via the link on Swim BC or on meet mobile app.