Competing last week against more than 170 schools across B.C., Penticton Secondary swam its way to the top.
Thirty-three athletes from the school's swim team teamed up to finish first overall in the province at the BC School Sports鈥� 2024 Aquatics Championships in Richmond on Nov. 15 and 16.
鈥淚 am so proud of how well this team did," said Tina Hoeben, the Pen High Lakers' swim coach.
Penticton's province-topping performance was aided by a first-place finish from its girls' team (423.5 points) and a third-place performance from the boys (250.5 points).
Local swimmers also broke multiple provincial records in the water.
Marlee Winser broke the girls' 100 freestyle record (previously held by Olympian Emily Overholt) with the girls' 4x50 medley relay. She participated in the event with Hannah Rutten, Kyah De Mitri, and Rebecca Soroke.
The 4x50 freestyle 鈥� featuring Winser, Soroke, De Mitri and Taryn Weatherhead 鈥� also marked a record-breaking swim, Hoeben said.
"They were first overall which required a team effort," the team's coach added. "The record-breaking swims appear to be a lucky break on the day, but they were the culmination of years worth of training."
The Richmond-hosted event marked the final swim meet of the season for BC School Sports.
"Most of our team is returning so we are looking forward to next season," Hoeben said.
