The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Fifteen athletes from the Flin Flon Aqua Jets joined 45 others from Thompson and The Pas recently where the local swimmers earned a number of ribbons. Bringing home top honours were swimmers in the 10 and Under age group for both Boys and Girls as well as the 11-12 and 13-14 Girls. "They all did extremely well," said coach Jim Aune, who coached his last meet with the team in Thompson. Like any other event, Aune helped the swimmers focus on meeting and beating their personal best times, as well as having fun. With a high number of races under their swim caps, the Aqua Jets beat their personal times 85 per cent of the time. "It was a great meet," said Aune, noting that all the athletes were "eager to swim." Aune says out of all the meets the swimmers have been to, this one was the most competitive. "The times were important and they were self motivating," he says. With a number of races having Flin Flon members in them, the group brought home three-First place ribbons, as well as a number of second and third places. Swimming with the Aqua Jets were four noncompetitive swimmers who went down for the meet. And although the times aren't official, the times are given out to each swimmer to see where they stand. "They did extremely well," says Aune, noting that there were some first and second placements in that category as well. As for Aune, this was the last "hurrah" with the team as he and the rest of the family recently moved to Saskatoon. Taking over coaching for the Aqua Jets are Nicole and Doug Mack. Looking back at his time as a coach, Aune says there have been some big improvements. "The biggest thing is that every kid has improved in their best times and their strokes are better," says the former coach. A prime example that came to mind was one swimmer who was disqualified in every race she started, at the beginning of the season, where as at the meet in Thompson, she placed second in one of her races. "The places are great," he says, "But she swam all six of her races. She's most improved on her advancement."
