Saskatoon Goldfins Swim Club Kicks Off 2026 Season with Enthusiasm and Success
The Saskatoon Goldfins Swim Club inaugurated the 2026 swim season with the first event of the Craven SPORT Services Racing Series. This marks the beginning of four thrilling competitions designed to nurture developing swimmers throughout a bustling season.
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Goldfins hosted three Northern Saskatchewan swim clubs: the Battleford Orcas and the Saskatoon Lasers Swim Club. A total of 142 swimmers showcased their talents across more than 399 individual events, along with a spirited, non-sanctioned relay. For many participants, it was the first meet of the season—and for some, the first in their swimming careers.
Goldfins Head Coach Steven Hitchings expressed enthusiasm for hosting the series. “The Goldfins Swim Club was eager to host the first of this series of developmental swim meets,” he remarked, highlighting the benefits of this initiative. “By continuing our partnership with Craven SPORT Services, we are able to offer a framework designed to support competitive swimming within the province of Saskatchewan. Craven SPORT Services has been a long-time supporter of the Goldfins Swim Club, providing dry-land programming, physiotherapy consultation, and event sponsorship.”
The series provides novice swimmers with the chance to compete within their age groups, fostering a supportive environment that builds confidence and hones competitive skills in preparation for future senior-level competitions. This season, the Craven SPORT Services Racing Series will be held alongside the Saskatchewan Racing Series. The results from both series will be merged to establish the Racing Series Provincial Rankings.
Adding to the excitement, swimmers engaged in Swimmer Bingo on the pool deck, vying to complete three lines on their cards for a chance at the Bingo Door Prize. Bensen Eliuk from BKSC emerged as the lucky winner of this inaugural contest.
The Goldfins Swim Club proudly fielded 83 swimmers, achieving 171 personal short course best times. Notably, 31 swimmers achieved 100% personal best short course times, including: Allison Berscheid, Kendrick Brewster, Isabel Burkholder, Ellie Chasse Wolfson, Tessa Diaz Donovan, Cohen Dickson, Lucas Duan, Emerson Flockhart, Alice Fu, Kassia Gartner, Aoife Gibbons, Tycho Hall, Scarlett Highway, Olive Horner-Uhyn, Ariah Kent-Rodgman, Jackson LaBine, Olivia Lovick, Kyle MacGillivray, Max Magsuci, Owen McKnight, Alisha Memon, Arhaan Memon, Zoey Painchaud, Rhett Ruzesky, Jenny Sun, Tyler Tse, Piper Veikle, Emily Walton-Bailey, Danny Wang, and Yolanda Xu.
Top improvements were recorded by Lucas Tse, with a 32.3% improvement in the 25 Fly, Yolanda Xu with a 31.4% improvement in the 100 Backstroke, and Olivia Lovick with a 22.8% improvement in the same event.
The club celebrated seven new Swim Saskatchewan Provincial Time Standards, with standout performances by Jacob Findlay in the 200 Freestyle and Ariah Kent-Rodgman in the 50 Breaststroke.
Congratulations to the Goldfins swimmers who set 12 new meet records at this event:
Boys 8 & U:
Owen McKnight 25 Backstroke – 24.68
Owen McKnight 25 Breaststroke – 35.50
David Goncharov 50 Freestyle – 46.41
David Goncharov 50 Breaststroke – 1:01.80
Girls 9 – 10:
Zeyah Flemming 100 Backstroke – 1:29.15
Girls 11 – 12:
Summer Grajo 100 Backstroke – 1:29.66
McKinley Bowman 25 Backstroke – 25.66
Boys 11 – 12:
Jacob Findlay 200 Freestyle – 2:50.66
Jacob Findlay 50 Fly – 37.36
Rick Li 25 Backstroke – 28.75
Kendrick Brewster 25 Breaststroke – 36.09
Boys 13 & O:
Lucas Tse 25 Fly – 18.30
The success of the event was made possible by dedicated Goldfins parents serving as officials and volunteers. Special thanks are extended to Ryan Lejbak, Robin Mowat, and the senior officials team, as well as Belinda Bilous, Randall Keays, and Ryan MacGillivray for their invaluable contributions.
The Goldfins are set to continue their competitive streak at the Spooktacular Goldfins Invitational 49 from October 24-26, 2025, at the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon, SK.
#GoldfinsRacing!
-30-