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LOSC Wins 2024 Speedo Western Championships

March 28, 2024

Some of the finest young Canadian swimmers took to the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg March 21 – 24.  When the dust settled, LOSC claimed number one status. 

“They all work very hard and it’s nice to see their performance come through and come together as a team to win this; it was really fun,” said LOSC head coach Ryan Skomorowski. “We’ve got to get working really hard now and really focus on grinding it out and getting ready for (Olympic & Paralympic) trials (May 13-19 in Montreal).” 

LOSC was ably represented by several swimmers, including Julia Strojnowska, Leilani Fack and Ashley Ko. The trio competed in all three women’s relays, winning a pair of golds and a silver. They also, as individuals, copped their fair share of hardware. 

“It’s extra special (winning as a team) because we get to see all the work we’ve done together and when you win it feels really good to be there together,” said Strojnowska, who won a gold, silver and bronze on her own. She tied with Rebecca Smith of Cascade for the top performer in the women’s open category. 

Being successful as a team is something that Fack says is extra important to her and her mates. 

“It definitely is,” she insisted, “because when we train together we see how hard each of us works and to see that pay off, it’s just heart-warming in a different way.” 

There were a number of standout performances on the weekend, including that of Aiden Kirk of the Kelowna AquaJets, tops in the junior boys division. The 16-year-old was a gold medalist in the 14-16 age group 1500m free, the 100m free, the 400m IM, as well as the 400m free, in which he went under four minutes for the first time. 

“I felt pretty good about that,” Kirk said of that swim. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to go that fast so it’s kind of a shock … and it’s just super exciting to have done that time; I’m super pumped about it.” 

He was also thrilled, understandably, with his overall medal haul. 

A total of 452 athletes from 67 clubs competed in the four-day meet.  The top scoring BC clubs were: 

• LOSC 1st 
• KAJ 3rd 
• WDSC 5th 
• CDSC 7th 
• ISC 9th 

A total of 22 BC clubs participated in the competition.