Rosebud residents, Austin and Parker Knibb, joined 32 other athletes from Zone 2 (Calgary’s surrounding area) to compete in the Competitive Swimming portion of the Alberta Summer Games during the week starting on Monday, July 19.
    After taking part in the opening ceremonies, the brothers swam in nine events each over a period of two days. 
    Austin, 14, received three Gold medals in the 4 x 50m relay, the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
    He also got three Silver medals in the 4 x 50m medley relay, the 4 x 100m free relay and the 4 x 100m medley relay. He also received three bronze medals for the 100 free, the 100 breast stroke and 100 back stroke.
    Austin says, “There was stiff competition, I liked swimming as a team for Zone 2 with other fast kids. Our zone came in second overall in swimming.”
    Parker medaled in two events,  receiving Gold in 4 x 50m freestyle relay, and Silver in 4 x 50m medley relay, and swam improved times in seven other events. 
    Parker says, “I had a great time and it was a lot of fun, I worked hard to achieve my goals. I got a Gold, a Silver, and a girl’s phone number!”
    Although Parker is 12, he competed in the 13-14 year old category. He was aged up because his birthday falls seven days prior to year’s end.
    Both said they were proud to represent Drumheller on the Alberta Stage.

    Michaella Clark nearly leapt off the podium in London, Ontario last week, after winning a gold medal at the Canada Special Olympic Games.
    The 34-year-old Drumheller swimmer won her first national gold medal in the 25m butterfly event. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
    “It was awesome,” Clark said of the experience at her third national games. She posted a personal best to win the medal, but more importantly, she posted strong results in all of her events.
     She won silver medals in the 25m and 100m freestyle events and a bronze in the 25m backstroke. She was also part of the team relay events that also did well.
    She arrived back in Drumheller on Sunday, after an experience of a lifetime. She was thrilled to see Don Cherry at the official ceremonies raise the flag. She also met swimming legend Mark Tewksbury. 
    With her gold medal win, there is a chance she could be named to Team Canada for the World Special Olympic Games next summer in Athens, Greece. 
    While the medal puts her in the running, there is still a selection process. She has good chances as she was one of the top performing women from Alberta.
    She commented coaches said the selections could be announced as soon as next month. She says if she is selected she will work even harder to represent Team Canada.
    Clark swims with the Special Olympic Team in Red Deer as well as with the Drumheller Aquadinnies.