The Slave Lake Sharks swimming team wrapped up their competitive swim season with 41 personal best times and several top-eight finishes at the Alberta Summer Swimming Association Provincial Championships.

Twenty-nine Sharks swimmers competed at provincials Aug. 15 and 16 at the Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton.

Coach Jennifer Taylor says the team came away from the championships with 41 personal best times, giving the Sharks a strong finish to their season.
Grace Auger led the Sharks with three top-four finishes.
She placed fourth in the 100-metre butterfly, 200-metre individual medley and 50-metre backstroke.

Slave Lake Sharks swimmers competed at the ASSA Provincial Championships in Edmonton. From left to right are Hudson Wahlstom, Alex Martin, Sierra Leighton and Jeannine Damo. Photos courtesy of Paula Leighton

Cobie Gall also had a strong showing with three top-eight finishes. Gall finished fifth in the 50-metre freestyle, seventh in the 100-metre freestyle and eighth in the 50-metre butterfly. Sebastian Medina raced to a fourth-place finish in the 25-metre butterfly.
Ethan McLaren earned two sixth-place finishes.

He took sixth in both the 50-metre butterfly and 50-metre breaststroke.
Hudson Williams added two more top-eight finishes for the Sharks.

He placed fourth in the 50-metre backstroke and seventh in the 50-metre freestyle.
The results capped off a busy season for the Slave Lake club.

For the Sharks, sending 29 swimmers to Edmonton was an accomplishment of its own.
The 41 personal bests showed progress across the team, while five swimmers broke into the top eight in their respective events.

Paula Leighton, the president of the swimming club, thanked coaches, sponsors and volunteers for their support.

“It is what made this season a success and I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the pool next season.”
The provincial championships marked the final competition of the Sharks’ 2026 summer season.
Now, the countdown begins until they dive back in next season.

A Region A relay team competes during the swim meet. Pictured from left are Sebastian Medina and Marco Hare of the Slave Lake Sharks, a swimmer from Smoky River, and Hudson Williams of the Sharks.

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader