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Ƶappswimmer comes seventh at national swim event

Katie Coombs beat her provincial time in 200-metre freestyle by 19 seconds
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Ƶappcompetitive swimmer Katie Coombs competed in the Masters Nationals Swimming Championships in Calgary May 19 to 21.

The sole swimmer representing Ƶappcame seventh overall in 200-meter freestyle event last week and competed in seven different events over the three-day national swim meet.

Coombs came seventh in her age category in the 200 freestyle, beating her provincial time of 4:17.20 by 19 seconds. Her final time was 3:57.84.

“That was by far the best memory that I have of that meet,” she said.

“When I touched the wall, it was just amazing. I just don’t know how I did it.”

While Coombs was the only swimmer from Squamish, she said many of her fellow B.C. athletes at the meet knew her time and were cheering as she finished.

“When you dive into the pool off that block, when the buzzer goes, all you’re focused on is that eight lengths of the pool. The fact that I was able to actually do that is a huge milestone for me,” she said.

“Usually my first race is my worst race. You have all that anxiety and the pre-race jitters and the adrenaline is running. For me, I can never get my breathing under control. For this race, I was mentally in it.”

The competition took place May 19 to May 21 in Calgary’s Repsol Sports Centre. The meet is open to any Canadian or International swimmers registered with the organization over the age of 18.

In Calgary, Coombs also competed in the 50m backstroke, the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 100m individual medley.

At home, Coombs swims with the ƵappTitans and was previously a coach for the Pirates Swim Club. She began competitively swimming in town five years ago and has been racing for the past three years.

The 31-year-old said her new time was an excellent way to finish the season. This week she begins training for an open water race on Bowen Island in July.

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