By Brady Lang

Orcas swim with world’s best

Jun 7, 2018 | 12:00 PM

It’s not every day someone gets to say they were with one Olympic medalist, let alone three.

And to be competing alongside them in the sport they are the best in the world at would have been surreal for Battlefords Kinsmen Orcas Taylor Parker and Brandon Nord.

The two locals competed in Vancouver at the Mel Zajac International meet, where there were a few notable swimmers in the pool. Penny Oleskiak, the first Canadian to win four medals at a single Olympics, Caelab Dressel, seven time gold medal winner, and Ryan Lotche, 19 Olympic medals, were all at the meet.

Being in the presence of the best in the sport, it was a great experience that taught the young swimmers a lot moving forward in their careers, said Orcas President Mike Nord.

“For them to see that these guys put their pants on one leg at a time like everyone else, and that they are just like Taylor and Brandon are,” Nord said. “Once they got in the water they were able to relax and swim very well. It was a great experience and I think it will really help them moving forward in pressure situations moving forward.”

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Through the excitement, there was still a meet for the Orcas to compete in. Both Parker and Nord improved on many of their times, registered personal and club records while also clinching top National and Western Canadian times.

Moving forward, Nord said he believes this meet will help the young swimmers reach that next level.

“Just like in any sport,” he said. “You do all of the work and preparation as far as the training, and especially a lot at that level, a lot is mental. Being able to have that confidence in their abilities is critical.”

Moving forward, the Orcas have a busy upcoming couple months. Their next meet is in Moose Jaw on June 23 while they continue into July with the Manitoba Saskatchewan Championships and the National Junior Canadian Championship on the schedule.

Times from 55th Annual Mel Zajac International Meet in Vancouver, June 1 to 3:

Taylor Parker

200 free – 2:05.27, previously seeded 113 and improved to 91 place

50 fly – 29.18, previously seeded 120 end up 120 place

400 free- 4:29.14, previously seeded 84 and improved to 72 place

50 free – 25.90, previously seeded 103 and improved to 64 place, Western Canadian time, personal best and new club record

100 free – 56.41, previously seeded 118 and improved to 84 place, Western Canadian time

Brandon Nord

100 Breast – 111.73, previously seeded 81 improved to 50 place, Western Canadian time, personal best and new club record

50 fly – 27.07, previously seeded 67 improved to 51 place, Western Canadian time, personal best and new club record

100 fly – 59.10, previously seeded 85 improved to 45 place, Western Canadian Time, Junior National time, Senior National Time (first time for this ever), Personal best and new club record

200 breast – 2:37.45, previously seeded 78 improved to 44 place, Western Canadian Time, personal best and new club record

50 breast – 32.44, previously seeded 55 improved to 41 place, Personal best and new club record

200 fly – 2:18.08, previously seeded 88 improved to 58 place, Western Canadian time, Personal best and new club record

brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangCJNB