AA Spring Championships: June 6–8

A trio of Highlanders attended the AA Spring Championships this past weekend at Dalplex. Though our numbers were small, our medal haul and number of personal bests were huge.

Laura Napier-Whale ‘30 capped an amazing rookie season with a silver medal in her 200m backstroke, a bronze medal in her 50m freestyle, another bronze in her 100m freestyle and bronze again in her 100m backstroke. Laura also competed in the 200m freestyle for fifth and 200 individual medley for ninth. Between prelims and finals Laura swam 11 times over three days and earned personal bests in all of her events. Her 200m backstroke was by far her most impressive success as she removed more than 23 seconds from her personal best and not only made another step to AAA qualification, but blasted through that to the step beyond, which is East Coast Championship qualification.

Fellow rookie Ewan Shaw ‘30 also had a meet to be proud of as he swam eight times between prelims and finals, earning a personal best in six of those races. Ewan’s biggest time drop came in his 200m free as he chopped off nearly 12 seconds to earn a bronze medal and his first AAA time standard. Ewan knocked off more than two seconds in his 50m freestyle, good for another bronze medal around his neck.

Julien Gingras ‘27 came to this meet to achieve two goals: to earn AAA qualification (the highest level in NS) and to win. In his 50m freestyle, he accomplished both goals, and more. Julien removed more than a second from his 50m freestyle and also earned an East Coast qualifier status. That now makes him eligible to compete in the East Coast Swimming Championships being held in Saint John, NB, July 10–13.

Our AAA swimmers, now including Julien Gingras, are back in action at the Dalplex, June 13–15 for the AAA Spring Championships. This meet also serves as the final qualification meet for the Canada Games being held in St. John’s, Newfoundland, August 8–24. This could be a long summer and an even longer season for our Highlanders.

Phillip Hadley
Senior School Faculty
Coaching XC, Track and Field, Swimming