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Canada Games swimmer shines at synchro championships

The best was saved for last at the Yukon Synchronized Swimming Championships on Sunday. Northern Nova swimmer Catherine Seal capped the event with a first place finish in the junior solo category.
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The best was saved for last at the Yukon Synchronized Swimming Championships on Sunday.

Northern Nova swimmer Catherine Seal capped the event with a first place finish in the junior solo category at the championship hosted by Synchro Yukon at the Canada Games Centre.

It was the 17-year-old’s last competition before she represents Yukon at the Canada Winter Games in two weeks in Prince George, B.C.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Seal. “I haven’t really been to an event like that before, so it’ll be interesting.

“I’ve always wanted to go to the Games, so it’s cool it’s actually happening.”

Seal, who is the only synchronized swimmer Yukon is sending to the Games, will compete in figures and solo in Prince George.

She performed a routine that has a military theme at the championships.

“It’s definitely different from what I usually do, so I’m pretty excited about that,” said Seal. “We were trying to come up with themes and (coach) Heather (O’Carroll) came up with it and she thought it would be a good idea because it’s something different from what I usually do. I usually do slower stuff, so it’s good to change it up.”

Seal was one of 11 Northern Novas synchro club swimmers at the championships, which featured figures, two other solo routines, a pairs routine and the first team performance in years.

“There’s never been one since I’ve been with the club, and I’ve been with the club seven years,” said Synchro Yukon president Shannon Duke. “It’s really exciting for us - it’s been a goal trying to get enough kids at the same level.”

Within the team performance was a first for the championships. Camron Maguire, who was one of six swimmers in the team, became the first male to perform at the annual event.

“In the future it’s going to be in the Olympics; males have never been allowed at the Olympic level, it’s only been a female sport,” said Duke. “There are clubs coming out that are all males.”

Contact Tom Patrick at

tomp@yukon-news.com