Adrianne Shepherd
Independent editor
A local swimmer was setting personal bests and making waves at nationals in Montreal from July 15 through 20, and is ready for a rest.
Botha’s Alana Skocdopole, a dedicated member of the Stettler Swim Club, set three personal bests and proved she was a strong contender on the national front.
”It was really fun, I did well,” said Skocdopole.
Skocdopole qualified to participate in six races in Montreal including: 50 meter breast stroke, 50 meter butterfly, 100 meter butterfly, 100 meter breast stroke, 100 meter free and 200 meter breast stroke.
In her 100 meter butterfly, 50 meter breast stroke and 50 meter butterfly she set new personal best times, which impressed everyone including herself.
Her new personal best in the 100 meter butterfly is now 1:08.07 which landed her in the 26th place, 50 meter butterfly was a speedy time of 29.91 seconds landing her in 15th and her 50 meter breast stroke was 35.93 seconds, which earned her the 14th place position.
She finished 22nd in the 100 meter breast stroke with a time of 1:19.86, 21st in the 200 meter breast stroke with a time of 2:53.18 and 39th in the 100 meter free with a time of 1:03.72.
“My favourite stroke is the butterfly,” she said. “I have progressed well, it used to be my least favourite stroke. My least favourite would be either breaststroke or back stroke. They used to be my better strokes, but I grew and now they are very awkward.”
“She has moved into her specialty, butterfly beautifully in the last few seasons. Her improvement curve has been steady, but is especially noticeable this year,” said coach Jana Brook-Gray.
Skocdopole’s plans for the remainder of the summer are to keep up with her running and swimming but also to take a much deserved rest.
“I hope to keep swimming on my own time and running a bit as well,” she said.
She also plans to attend a swim camp put on from Aug. 17 – 21 in Stettler for members of the Stettler Swim Club.