The Elrose Prairie Speed Swimmers swim team moved onward to Provincials in Weyburn, with a strong performance in the pool this past weekend in Moose Jaw.

The event ended up being held in Moose Jaw due to unforeseen pool issues in Swift Current where the meet was originally scheduled, as the nine team members were forced into a slightly longer car ride.

West Central Online reported on the semi-final meet taking place in Biggar the same weekend, and were surprised to not see the Elrose team included in the results.

UPDATE: Biggar Barracuda Swim Club enjoys successful weekend at the pool

Head coach out of Elrose Crystal Minogue gave a little more background information.

"What happens is Rosetown goes north, and Elrose goes south," explained Minogue, "Swift Current had pool issues, so our semi's saw a last minute change to Moose Jaw in their indoor 10 lane pool so we had semis there."

Now moving onto provincials, they will finally meet up with some local teams. It would be nice to match-up locally a little more, but according to Minogue the southern schedule has actually been a bit of a benefit.

"We were confused if we were North or South, and we battled them on that, but then it seemed that the South meets were closer to us," chuckled Minogue about their uncertain placement in the Saskatchewan Swimming world. 

The Elrose Prairie Speed Swimmers consisted of 9 total participants during the recent event, and they made it count.

At the end of the day, four Elrose Prairie Speed Swimmers gathered enough points to bring home aggregate medals, as Felix Minogue earned gold in the 7-8 boys, Oscar Minogue earned gold in the 9-10 boys, Heimarie Strydom earned silver in the 11-12 girls, and Brandon Friesen earned bronze in the 11-12 boys category.

This aquatic facility in Moose Jaw housed the southern meet after issues arose at the Swift Current location (Photos: Swift Current ACT/UCT Stingrays Summer Swim Club on Facebook) 

Eight out of their nine swimmers advanced to the next round, the more important statistic according to Minogue. Some of their athletes even advanced in multiple categories.

"We just lost out on one, but they did really well," said the coach, "That's one thing I am stressing at practice. It's not all about placing, it's about having fun and progressing as a swimmer you know?"

The idea for a team only came out during COVID, so this is their first real year of competition. They will look to grow over the years, but for now Minogue more than appreciates everything she has in her current group of swimmers.

"This is our actual first year of competition so that's why I am so proud of our group. To have that is remarkable for the first year competing ever. We don't have very many swimmers, 13 in total signed up," said Minogue. She then joked, "I call it the 'small but mighty team'".

The team consists of Brooklyn Longworth, Jana Duvenage, Heimarie Strydom, Surine Duvenage, Ethan Longworth, P.C. Strydom, Brandon Friesen, Oscar and Felix Minogue, paired with their coaches in Crystal Minogue and Mariette Strydom.