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Mission Marlins finish second in provincials

10-year-old swimmer claims seven medals in seven events to finish undefeated season
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Allison McCormick (left) Vivian Park (centre) Blakeli Vermeer (front) and Lilo Pacheco (right) led the Mission Marlins to gold in the Div. 2 Girls Medley Relay at provincials last month.

The Mission Marlins Swim Club finished second at the BCSSA Provincial Championships last weekend, with one swimmer hauling in seven gold medals. 

The club sent approximately 60 swimmers to UBC for provincials and it punched above its weight to incredible results.

Allison McCormick, 10, capped off an undefeated season with seven gold medals in seven events, breaking one provincial record. 

Mission Marlins president Mitch McCormick is also Allison’s father. He praised the hard work and dedication that helped her succeed and said he was "super happy" for her. 

“The reality is that the medals someday will just end up in a shoebox – probably in my closet – but the things that our daughter has learned along the way about herself –  her self confidence … nobody will ever be able to take those things away from her,” McCormick said, 

Three of the events were relays, which McCormick says showcases the overall quality of the program. 

The Marlins were second in the province in points per swimmer at provincials, and third in the province in overall points. 

Upwards of 20 swimmers reached the podium across all events, including 14 gold medals. Isaac Janes, Ethan Jones, and Nathaniel Ewert all took home a pair of gold medals in individual events, while Aiden Caul, Willem Buitelaar and Owen Buffett won golds as well. 

The Marlins also won the Girls Div 2 relays in both medley and freestyle, in addition to the Boys Div. 8 200m Freestyle relay. 

“lt was just a really good showing by our club, and it just yet again, speaks to the quality of swimmers and the culture of our club that we continue to produce, year over year over year,” McCormick said. 

Mission won provincials two years ago, becoming the first Fraser Valley club to do so. 

McCormick credits the Marlins’ coaches who have been a part of the program before and take on a leadership role with the success of the program. 

“More than anything, we have a family atmosphere and we have a group of members, kids and parents who really support one another,” he said.

The demand for an expanded or new facility is high in Mission, McCormick says. With a new pool, the Marlins would have the capacity to nearly double participation and prevent waitlists.



About the Author: Mission City Record Staff

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