Abbotsford had double the amount of Dawson Creek swimmers in the pool this year – two.
Liz Ollenberger joined a 21-year games strong and 100-plus medal-laden Robin O’Reilly for Aug. 22 to 26 for the 2023 BC 55 + games.
O’Reilly heads back with 5 golds and one bronze in individual races, 3 Gold in Freestyle: 25m, 50m, 200m and 1 Bronze in 100m Freestyle. 2 Gold in Butterfly: 25m and 50m Relays: 1 Gold and 2 Silver.
This was Ollenberger’s first 55+ games – and it proved successful with gold in the 25 m backstroke, silver in the 25 m butterfly, and bronze in the 100 m IM (Individual Medley.)
While it was O’Reilly’s 21st set of games, it was Ollenberger’s first.
“I think I will learn from this year, focus already on next year and enter more events.” A maximum of 6 individual races are allowed .
O’Reilly said in her experience, the 2023 games went off without a hitch.
“This year’s theme was Dream it, Do it.”
Dawson Creek and area can have more representation at the games, and in the pool. 24 men and 24 women are each eligible to represent the area – currently the pair are the only two in the pool.
The pair are already focused on 2024 games in Salmon Arm. In a strange bit of province-wide scheduling, the pair will have to wait a month to get back at it in the pool.
“Most municipal pools close for the month of September for maintenance.”
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