Vernon Swimmers Shine at BC Finals, Set Records Ahead of Canada Games

UPDATE: Vernon Kokanee Swim Club athletes have made waves at the 2025 Summer Provincial Championships, held from July 17-20 in Vancouver. Notably, swimmer Brea Duncan secured her spot on Team B.C. for the upcoming Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L., set to run from August 8-25. This marks a remarkable achievement as Duncan captured two bronze medals, solidifying her preparation for the high-stakes competition ahead.

The Vernon contingent showcased exceptional talent, competing fiercely against 39 different teams and finishing in 24th place overall. Over the championship weekend, Kokanee swimmers participated in a staggering 16 finals, achieving an impressive total of 29 new best times across various events.

Highlighting their performance, the team set two new long course club records. The first was in the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay, where the team of Kaeden Uesson, Korbin Wade, Kayne Clark, and Alex Puchkov shattered the previous record by finishing in a remarkable time of 9 minutes 27.50 seconds, nearly 19 seconds faster than the old mark. The second record came in the 4 x 50m free relay, where they broke a 20-year-old record, clocking in at 1:53.00, a reduction of over five seconds.

Individual performances also stood out, with swimmers achieving significant drops in their personal bests. Notable improvements included Emily Adam, who excelled in the 1,500 m Freestyle with an impressive drop of 8.77 seconds, and Brea Duncan herself, who improved her 400 m Freestyle time by 13.71 seconds. Other standout performances came from Julia Russell in the 200 m Butterfly with a reduction of 15.49 seconds, and Uesson, who dropped 11.48 seconds in the 200 m during the 800 m Free Relay lead-off.

The energy and excitement of the event encapsulated the spirit of competitive swimming in British Columbia. As Duncan and her teammates gear up for the Canada Summer Games, the stakes are high, and the community is rallying behind them to support their journey.

Stay tuned for further updates as these young athletes prepare to represent their province on a national stage. The anticipation builds as they look to make a splash at the Summer Games, where they aim to continue their record-breaking performances.