Reaching the top of the podium eight times, Faith Knelson led the charge as the Ladysmith-Chemainus Orcas Swim Club competed at the Vancouver Island Regional Championship swim meet.
Knelson,10, entered eight events and took home eight gold medals. She also broke a Vancouver Island record in the 50 breast stroke — which had been set in December 2004 — with a time of 39.06, and she took a second off the Vancouver Island Regional meet record for the 200 IM, which was set in 2007, with a time of 2:53.34.
During the meet, which was held Jan. 20-22, Knelson won the 400 free, 100 back, 50 breast stroke, 200 IM, 200 free, 50 fly, 50 free and 100 breast stroke.
The Orcas sent five swimmers to the Vancouver Island Regional Championship meet, and they all did exceptionally well, noted club vice-president Shelley Anderson.
Fifteen-year-old Conrad Carlson finished fifth in the 200 breast stroke and the 50 free and was eighth in the 100 breast stroke.
Darby Rae, 14, had a fifth-place finish in the 40 free, a seventh-place finish in the 100 fly, an eighth-place finish in the 100 free and a 16th-place finish in the 200 free.
Ten-year-old Kiley Ludlow finished 12th in the 50 fly, 16th in the 50 back stroke, 22nd in the 50 free and 26th in the 100 free.
Chantal Greenhalgh, who is nine, came 13th in the 50 back stroke, 16th in the 50 breast stroke and 27th in the 50 free.