Athlete of the day February 16, 2013: Local swimmer Jarret Plante breaks Provincial records

Jarret Plante

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Junior Lifeguard Club (JLC) member Jarret Plante went to the University of Lethbridge for a swimming competition February 9, and came home with 3 gold medals.

Plante was competing in age group 10 to 11 years old against about 14 other boys. "That was my first competition," said Plante. "I've been in Lifeguard for two years now, and Dolphin Swim Club for four of five years," having joined when he was six or seven years old.

Plante won Gold in three categories:

• Mannequin Carry, without fins, 50 metres, 45:12
• Mannequin Tow without fins, 44:90
• Swim with fins, 50 metres, 30:15. In this event Plante established a new Provincial record.

"I found out I got the record after the meet," he said. "We went upstairs to see the times. I was really excited," He is also on the Pincher Creek Swim Club pride board for the record of 200 metre swim.

Currently in grade six in Canyon School, Plante enjoys football, basketball, skiing and swimming.

Coach Myranda Goss has been instructing Plante for two years. "I am very, very, very proud of him," she said.  "I knew he could do it. I'm very confident in Jarret's skills as a swimmer. Just Jarret went up this time. It's kind of a new thing. We haven't done the competition in four years, because we've always had a JLC program here."

Plante will be going to the Provincials in Edmonton March 16.