Swimming: Edmonton’s Paige Kremer chasing her dreams at age group nationals

MONTREAL- Paige Kremer of Edmonton won two gold medals and broke a 16-year-old Canadian record in her age group on Friday at the Canadian Age Group Championships swimming competition being held this week at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Kremer posted victories in both the girls 100-metre backstroke and 200 butterfly in the 12 and under age group. Her time of 1:07.13 in the 100 backstroke was a national age group record in the 11-12 category. Michelle Cruz held the previous mark of 1:07.31 set in 1993.

“It was a big thrill to break the record,” said Kremer. “It something I was shooting for at this meet. My coach told me to go out and swim fast and that’s what I did. My long term goal is to one day race at the Olympics.”

It was also a big night for David Sharpe of Halifax. He bettered his personal best by more than two seconds in a comeback 200 butterfly victory in the 17-18 age group clocking 2:01.68. Twenty minutes later Sharpe added a silver medal performance in the 100 backstroke.

“The 200 fly was a very close race but I could only see one guy so I just focused on finishing the best I could,” said Sharpe, a member of Canada’s World University Games team. “For the 100 back, I warmed down as best as I could and came close to my personal best. I deliberately picked back-to back races because it toughens you up.’’

Competition continues through to Monday.