Former Barracuda wins race at national meet

In the 100-metre butterfly, Prince George swimmer Josiah Binnema finished at the front of the national pack.

Binnema, a graduate of the Prince George Barracudas, stroked to gold in the race while at the Team Canada Trials, which ended Sunday in Victoria. With a time of 52.90 seconds, he finished ahead of second-place swimmer Mack Darragh (53.65) and third-place Alex Perreault (53.71). Binnema also secured a silver medal in the 50m butterfly when he touched the wall in 24.50 seconds.

Binnema now competes for the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club. At U of A, he's a third-year member of the Golden Bears.

Thanks to his showing at the trials, Binnema qualified to represent Canada at the FINA World Championships, July 14-30 in Budapest, Hungary. He'll also be in the water for the FISU World University Games, Aug. 19-30 in Taipei City, Taipei.

Based on her efforts at the trials, Danica Ludlow will join Binnema at the World University Games. While in Victoria for the meet, her best finishes were third-place results in the 400m freestyle (4:11.39) and 800m freestyle (8:47.29). Ludlow began her swim career with the Barracudas and now represents the University of Calgary Dinos.

Two active members of the Barracudas, Avery Movold and Hannah Esopenko, also competed at the Team Canada Trials.

Movold, who turned 17 on Monday, placed 13th in the 1,500m freestyle in a time of 17:36.50 and made the B final in the 200m backstroke, where she put down a clocking of 2:18.13. In the preliminaries for that race, she swam a personal-best 2:17.82. Movold also did two time trials - the 100m freestyle (58.83) and 400m freestyle (4:27.81).

Esopenko, who will celebrate her 17th birthday next week, posted her top finish in the 50m breaststroke. In the race, she was 32nd in a time of 35.30 seconds. She was also 35th in the 100m breaststroke (1:17.26) and 40th in the 200m butterfly (2:30.76). In two time trial events - the 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley - her times, respectively, were 2:48.56 and 5:13.76.

The swimmers weren't the only Prince George content at the trials. Local officials Michael Moran, Sheila Nelson, Kerim Ozcan and Larry Chrobot all worked the meet. All have their Level 5 certification, the highest possible in the sport.