This weekend during the Speedo Eastern Canadian Championships, the Ajax Swim Club girls broke the short course Canadian record in the 4x100m medley relay and the 4x50nm medley relay in the 13-14 age group category.
In the 4×100, the previous mark was set by the Manta Swim Club girls (stationed in Manitoba) with a time of 4:18.02. Most notably on the old record-setting relay was Chantel Van Landeghem who has represented Canada internationally and is currently training in Georgia.
The Ajax relay consisted of Danika Huizinga, Emily Vanderberg, Aryanna Fernandes, and Kayla Sanchez. The girls posted a 4:16.27 to break Manta’s 2008 record and win the bronze medal. Most notably, standout swimmer Huizinga swam the fastest backstroke split of all teams (1:00.40), giving the Ajax girls an early lead.
Anchor Kayla Sanchez swam a 57.19 freestyle split to secure the record, an extremely fast split for a twelve year old. Swimming Canada rule CSWAG 1.1.7 says that it is okay for a relay to have two swimmers under the age category compete on the relay and still be applicable for the record. In the US, this record would not have counted because Sanchez was 12.
Sanchez took home two medals this weekend, one in this relay and a silver in the 4x50m freestyle relay. Sanchez was competing against swimmers who were 15&under, making it very challenging for a twelve year old. Despite her young age, Sanchez finaled in the 100m freestyle and earned herself a sixth place finish in the finals.
In the 100m backstroke Sanchez also was able to set a new Canadian Age Group Record with a time of 1:03.36 to erase the previous time of 1:03.94 set by Toronto Swim Club’s Penny Oleksiak last year.
All records set at the competition are not official yet. According to Swimming Canada Executive Assistant Kirsty Hahto all record applications from the meet have been received and will all be processed this week.
Ajax Swim Club Girls 4x100m Medley Relay Age Group Record Splits
Danika Huizinga (14) 1:00.40
Emily Vanderberg(14) 1:14.45
Aryanna Fernandes (13) 1:04.23
Kayla Sanchez (12) 57.19