Two Grande Prairie swimmers will compete at the upcoming Junior World Championships in Israel.
Jordan Greber and Oliver Dawson will be competing in the international under-18 competition after qualifying during the Canadian competition back in April. Director of Swimming for the Grande Prairie Piranha’s Swimming Club, Alex Dawson, says Greber will compete in several backstroke events, while Dawson will compete in the breaststroke events.
The swimming director explains this is 15-year-old Dawson’s first time competing at an international competition.
“He did exceptionally well back in April – and it was a little unexpected for him to make the team, but he punched his ticket,” Dawson says.
Greber, however, is no stranger to international competition, having competed in the Junior Pan Pacific’s last year and making it to the finals for Team Canada.
Having Grande Prairie athletes compete at a prestigious is exciting for the club and something Dawson says they have been working towards since he took over the club eight years ago.
“We are heading into next season, which is an Olympic year, so they are going to be choosing those teams next May, so we got two aspiring athletes that are looking ahead. The world’s best swimmers are going to be at this event, and some of those swimmers do get to go on in another year from now if they continue to train, compete and continue to elevate.”
Dawson will also be joining the two athletes as a Team Canada staff member on their trip across the ocean.