ow Valley Riptides pool stars Riley Toohey, Avi Lamb, Marin Williams, Kiana Worobey and Domenic Griesser are all bound for Alberta Summer Games in Leduc July 14-17 after a strong showing at trials last weekend.
All five cracked the podium in their respective age groups to earn the spot with four gold medals and a bronze for the win.
“The Alberta Summer Games trials fell right before the preparation for age group trials. It’s a good indication of how they will be swimming for provincial championships,” said Riptides head coach Don Tremblay.
Lamb, Williams, Griesser and Worobey finished first at the top of their age group, while Toohey was third, but still fast enough to qualify. Canmore Coho swimmer Tanner Douce also finished third in his age category.
“Our guys were beating their personal best by up to seven seconds. It was really nice to see. Others were matching their personal best times,” Tremblay said.
The plan over the next month is to keep up preparations for bigger meets. The Riptides will cut down the volume and kick up speed workouts over the next month in a quest for medals at Alberta Summer Games and beyond.
“It really comes down to the individual now – are they there for performance or are they there for the experience?” Tremblay said.
Tremblay said the club isn’t finished with top results. Over the past five years, Riptides membership has increased 101 per cent, and there are now 155 swimmers training with the year-round program.
“We have a very supportive board that is allowing the program to grow and succeed,” Tremblay said. “We teach good discipline and the results are showing.”
