The Merritt Otters wrap up their season this weekend at the B.C. Summer Swimming Association provincials in Kamloops.
Five Otters are competing in the provincials, which will be held at the Canada Games pool from Friday through Sunday.
Alex Rubner, 17, is swimming in the 50-metre butterfly, the 100-metre butterfly, 100-metre freestyle, and 200-metre IM (a type of race where all strokes are used).
Her sister, Kenzie Rubner, 11, will compete in the 100-metre IM and 50-metre backstroke category.
Another duo of Otter siblings, Taylor Carmichael, 12, and her brother, Dylan Carmichael, 10, have qualified for several of the provincial events.
The elder Carmichael will swim in the 50-metre butterfly, 50-metre freestyle, and 100-metre backstroke. Dylan, meanwhile, will compete in both the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle as well as the 100-metre IM.
Rounding out the Merritt contingent, Erin Thomson, 12, is swimming in the 50-metre breaststroke this weekend.
The swimmers earned their spots at the provincials after qualifying at the regionals, also held in Kamloops, earlier in the season.
Otters coach Iris Cheng said Tuesday that at least two of the swimmers, Taylor Carmichael and Alex Rubner, have the potential to earn medals at the upcoming swim meet.
“Taylor Carmichael is very strong in her breaststroke.”
At practices, Cheng said, Carmichael's swim times have been steadily getting shorter.
As for Rubner, Cheng said “She's a dark horse in some of her runs” but has the potential to win a place on the podium provided she is not overly stressed about the competition.
“Alex Rubner is actually seeded first in the province for 100-metre butterfly.”
Her sister, Kenzie Rubner, said she hopes to achieve a new personal best at the provincials. “I just want to do my best ‘cause I know people I raced against in the past were way faster.”
-3.4°C Not observed 










