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Local club has best meet of the season in Kitimat.

The Bulkley Valley Otters recently returned from their most successful meet of the season, last weekend in Kitimat.

“We had a great meet,” head coach Tom Best said. “It was the best we’ve had all year.”

The Otters took 11 swimmers with them, to go up against clubs from all over the northwest.

It was a smaller than usual contingent, but with lots going on for kids in the Bulkley Valley, Best wasn’t expecting a big turnout to the meet.

“I think it’s a good thing for these kids to be involved in all sorts of sports, and we had a chance to bring some of our younger swimmers.”

Leading the way, Mackinley Unruh finished with seven victories in a variety of disciplines. Perhaps more impressive, her wins came in both long and short distance races.

“It takes a lot of different skills in order to swim that well over such a wide variety of events.”

As well, Luke Berarducci finished with three gold medals and Cassie Horning-Wandler got her first gold at the senior level.

Best was impressed with the younger swimmers too.

“I want to highlight our group of younger kids who went down,” Best said.

“Logan Unruh, Jordan Vertue, Chloe Vertue and Dawson Unruh all swam really well.”

Only nine years old, Dawson swam on the senior boys relay team over the weekend.

“It was a fun weekend. The kids had a ball. And it was a performance meet, not a results meet.

“We wanted to make sure the kids were doing everything they were working on in practices.”

Also, Travis Pete and Monica Joseph have qualified for the North American Indigenous Games, which take place later this summer in Regina.

Results:

Mackinley Unruh: First in 50 free, 100 free, 800 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, 400 individual.

Luke Berarducci: First in 100 breast, 200 breast, 40 fly. second in 100 fly, 200 fly, 400 free and 400 IM.

Cassie Horning-Wandler: First in 100 IM, 50 fly. Second in 50 back, 100 back, 50 breast, 100 free.

Kole LePoidevin: First in 800 free, 200 IM, 100 IM.

Monica Joseph: First in 200 fly. Second in 400 IM.

Adam Hartnett: First in 100 IM. Second in 50 back, 100 back.