The Brantford Aquatic Club kicked off the long course championship season in style at the Western Region Champs held at the Gretzky Sports Complex June 11^th to 13^th. With over 700 swimmers competing in the meet BAC was able to race to 53 podium finishes.

Siena Clarco (14) won gold in the 50 and 100 freestyles and achieved her Junior Provincial qualifying standard in the process. She was also 4^th in the 200 freestyle and 5^th in the 100 breastroke. Connor Gibson (12) was second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 200 and 400 Individual Medley as well as the 200 backstroke. His brother Liam (10) was first in both the 400 free and 100 butterfly. His winning time in the butterfly was a qualifying time for Junior Provincials. Liam also finished 2^nd in the 100 and 200 freestyle as well as third in the 200 IM. Sydney Harrington (16) won gold in the 100 backstroke and was 2^nd in the 400 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke. Garrett Heggie (13) won bronze in the 200 butterfly and finished 4^th in the 400 free and 5^th in the 400IM. Garrett’s sister Madison (11) was second in the 200 freestyle and third in both the 400 IM and 200 butterfly. Jessi Higgins (11) won gold in the 50 free, 400IM, 800free, 200 back and 200 butterfly. She also took bronze in the 200IM. David Hopton (17) won silver in the 800 freestyle and was 5^th in the 1500 free. One of the youngest swimmers on the BAC team, Agatha Kostrz (9) won bronze in the 400 freestyle. Kaitlyn Mitchell (15) won gold in the 400 free and took bronze in the 100 and 800 freestyles. Alex Paulins (14) won gold in the 100 breastroke and was third in the 100 and 200 backstrokes. Younger brother Sebastian (11) won the 400 freestyle and was third in the 800 freestyle. Tanner Robinson (12) won the 200 free and 200 butterfly as well as placing second in the 400IM. Kailey Russell (9) another of the young BAC swimmers was third in the 50 freestyle. Alex Siuda (17) won the 400IM and was third in the 100 backstroke. Andrew Vallee (12) was second in the 100 freestyle as well as 4^th in the 50 free and 200 backstroke.

Not all BAC swimmers were able to win medals but more made the top 8 in their age groups. Hannah Forster (10) was 5^th in the 100 free, 6^th in the 400 free and 7^th in the 200. Cassuarina French (9) was 8^th in the 100 breastroke. Beth Paulins (16) finished 8^th in the 800 freestyle. Tyler Robinson (10) was 6^th in the 400 freestyle. Kennedy Russell (13) was 6^th in the 400 free and 100 free as well as 7^th in the 400IM and 200 free and 8^th in the 200 back.

Swimmers who posted lifetime best times in the meet were: Rachael Dudley (14) in the 100, 400 and 800 freestyles. Katie Jagus (16) swam life bests in 5 of her 6 events. Her sister Lauren (14) achieved 100% lifetime bests at the meet. Rachel Lynne-Davies (14) did the same in her 4 events all lifetime bests and James Skye (10) swam 100% bests in his four events.

The club will now send 12 swimmers to the Ontario Junior Provincials being held in Nepean July 1^st to 4^th.