It may not have been an easy road for Madison Campbell, Mila Neubuhr and their families, but it appears to have paid off. The competitive swimmers from the Flin Flon area took home medals for their work in the pool at a provincial meet.
Campbell and Neubuhr represented Flin Flon at the Junior Provincial Swimming Championships in Winnipeg last month, with both coming back home with medals.
Campbell earned second place in the junior provincial event in the 100-metre freestyle category in the 15+ category, while Neubuhr earned a bronze in the 50-metre breaststroke. Both almost earned second medals, picking up fourth-place finishes - Campbell finished fourth in the 50-metre freestyle, while Neubuhr did the same in the 100-metre breaststroke.
Between the 13 races swam by Campbell and Neubuhr, they set personal bests 12 times.
Since the Flin Flon Aqua Centre closed in 2020, the two swimmers haven’t been able to practice in their hometown. Campbell and Neubuhr instead practice with The Pas Roadrunners, a swimming club based out of The Pas’ Winton Pool - the only remaining pool suitable for competition, after the closure of both the Aqua Centre and Thompson’s Norplex Pool.
Both swimmers and their families travel to The Pas twice a week - six hours of driving per week in ideal conditions - for practices.
“They make the most of their time in the pool with high-intensity training and a focus on technique. Their love and dedication to the sport of swimming guides them to success,” said Roadrunners coach Nick Popiel.
Both swimmers were active members of the Flin Flon Aqua Jets before the club suspended operations, pending the opening of a new pool. Campbell won four gold medals and a silver in the final swim meet held at the Aqua Centre back in Jan. 2020, while Neubuhr won four medals herself in various categories.
The centre was closed three days after the meet due to structural issues, first temporarily and then permanently, before partially collapsing in November and being demolished in December 2020. Both Campbell and Neubuhr began training with the Roadrunners in The Pas after the Flin Flon pool was shuttered.
