News & Articles

Junior Pan Pacs selections shine at 2022 Speedo Western Canadian Swimming Championships

News –

EDMONTON – Christey Liang, Yu Tong Wu and Katie Schroeder celebrated a recent international team selection with victories Thursday night to open the 2022 Speedo Western Canadian Swimming Championships.

Wu, of the Surrey Knights Swim Club, was a double winner. He dominated the senior men’s 200-m freestyle winning in 1:51.12, a personal best by more than a second. Addison Butler of Calgary was second in 1:56.03 and Wu’s clubmate Peter Huang was third in 1:56.08.

“It’s a great way to start the competition,” said Wu. “I actually wanted to go a little faster than that, but I’ll take it. I’m taking the opportunity here to do some races I won’t race at junior Pan Pacs so I can improve myself overall.”

He also took the 100-m backstroke in 57.76 with Jadyn Johnson of Williams Lake second in 59.55 and Onur Gul of West Vancouver third in 1:00.21.
Other winners in men’s senior were Ian Cameron of Edmonton in the 200-m breaststroke (2:21.70) and Aidan Erickson of Langley in the 1500 freestyle (16:19.32).

Schroeder, of the Langley and Abbotsford Olympians swim club, won the women’s senior 100-m backstroke in 1:02.46. She finished ahead of Sela Wist of Kamloops, B.C., second in 1:04.02 and Alexanne Lepage of Vernon, B.C., third in 1:04.34.

“I felt pretty good, it was a quick turnaround from the Canadian Trials (two weeks ago),” said Schroeder. “I felt really strong and I was happy to race against some of the girls from B.C. again.”

Liang, from the hometown Edmonton Keyano club, took the senior women’s 200-m freestyle in 2:01.73. Kamryn Cannings of the University of Calgary was second in 2:01.76 and Kayce Cannings, also from U of C, third in 2:04.61.

“This event is really the first step towards the Junior Pan Pacs in August,” said Liang. “I was less worried about the time and just focused on the racing. I knew I had to go out fast because Kamryn is so strong on the back end and I did everything to stay ahead.”

Other winners in women’s senior were Erin Epp of Kelowna, B.C., in the 200 breaststroke in 2:36.88 and Emma Finlin of Edmonton in the 800 free (8:51.40).

Triple gold for Wigginton in youth events.

In men’s youth, another Junior Pan Pac team member Lorne Wigginton of Calgary was a triple winner placing first in the 200 free (1:52.73) 200 breast (2:19.65) and 1500 freestyle (16:24.03). Aiden Norman of Calgary took the 100 back (56.79).

Mia West of MANTA in Winnipeg collected two gold in women’s youth with victories in the 200-m freestyle (2:02.40) and 800-m freestyle (9:10.67) as she tuned up for the junior Pan Pacs as well. Other winners were Jordan Greber of Grande-Prairie, Alta., in the 100 back (1:03.63) and Macey Larson of Langley in the 200 breast (2:38.23).

The University of Calgary won the men’s and women’s 4X100-m freestyle relays.

Almost 500 athletes from 60 clubs are here this week at the meet which runs through to Sunday at the Kinsmen Sports Centre.

For more information: 2022 Speedo Western Championships – Swimming Canada