Dylana Milobar finally felt like herself again on Friday — right in the nick of time.
Milobar, 17, qualified Friday for the Canadian team trials for the world swimming championships. The Kamloops Classics swimmer made her qualifying standard in the 50-metre breaststroke during an official time trial event at Canada Games Aquatic Centre.
She will head to Victoria from April 3-6, where she will compete against Canada’s best for the chance to wear the Maple Leaf at the world championships in Barcelona, Spain, from July 19 to Aug. 4.
Milobar hadn’t been at her best in the pool since falling ill with a virus in early February. She spent a few days in the hospital and lost 10 pounds.
Still, she competed at the Western Canadian championships in Saskatoon from Feb. 14-17, but didn’t do particularly well.
“I was pretty disappointed in my times,” Milobar said. “But I’m still glad I went. We only had four girls there and we were able to do the relay.”
She struggled to regain the muscle she lost over the next month, but feels “great” now.
“When I did the time trial, (that) was the first time I felt 100 per cent,” Milobar said.
Milobar has been to age group nationals before, and competed at last year’s senior nationals, which would be a comparable competition to the world trials.
She earned rookie-of-the-meet honours at senior nationals, and qualified for a B final. And, no, she isn’t nervous ahead of the trials.
“Not really,” she said. “I get more nervous at the smaller meets. . . .
“Really, I’m excited to go for the experience. I’m hoping to make a B final and swim well.”
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The Classics were at the Penticton Cherry Blossom meet on the weekend.
Ashley Bagabuyo, in the 10-and-under category, had ten first-place finishes, while her teammate Keana Smart had five second-place finishes and two third-place finishes, and Lauren Prokopetz had a second-place finish and five third-place finishes.
In the boys’ 10-and-under division, Trevor Laupland was first in the 800-metre freestyle, second in the 200m individual medley and third in seven other events. Laupland qualified for the AA provincials in the 100m backstroke (one minute 28.21 seconds) and 400m IM (6:54.20).
Austin Phillips, in the 11-12 division, had eight first-place finishes, while teammate Tanner Douglas had two first-place finishes, two seconds, and three thirds. Eden Saari and Lauren Carlson each had a third-place finish.
In the 13-14 division, Ethan Phillips had four first-place finishes, three second-place finishes and a third.
Teammate Marina Ellison had two second-place finishes and a third, while, in the 15-and-over category, Sadie Keim was second in the girls 1,500m freestyle.
