THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Athleticism and spirit both allowed two swim teams from the Deh Cho to win three banners at the Mackenzie Regional Swim Meet.

To ensure fair competition the meet was divided into two divisions. The pool division for swimmers who have pools in their home communities and the waterfront division for those swimmers who train in nearby lakes.

Naomi Timbre, left, and Taeresha Berreault of Fort Liard compete in the inner tube race, one of the fun races incorporated into the Mackenzie Regional Swim Meet in Fort Smith. - photo courtesy of Victoria Perron

A six-person team from Fort Providence returned home with the first-place banner in the pool category while the 10-person strong Fort Liard Dolphins took third place in the same category and also won the team spirit award. A total of 44 swimmers on five teams competed in the annual event held this year in Fort Smith from Aug. 16 to 18.

"It was a busy but well planned out swim meet," said Tim Van Dam, the manager of the Fort Smith pool.

Although the meet included traditional events such as races in front and back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley the focus was placed on participation and having fun, Van Dam said.

Teams also competed in fun events such as waterslide luge, inner tube relays and lifejacket relays that required participants to swim a lap of the pool wearing two lifejackets.

"It was clear they really enjoyed that," said Van Dam about the fun races.

"We had 100 per cent participation."

The meet concluded with the awards ceremony where instead of receiving ribbons or medals each swimmer got a certificate of achievement listing their races and placements. It allowed every child to come up and be applauded, he said.

"Everyone left with smiles on their faces," Van Dam said.

Fort Providence swimmers including Megan Antoine, Joseph Antoine, Chad Bonnetrouge, Spencer Bonnetrouge, Nolan Bonnetrouge and Christina Bonnetrouge took home the first place banner in the pool category. All of the swimmers gave strong performances, even in the fun events, said Chris Kirwan, the manager of the Fort Providence aquatic centre.

"They showed a lot of good sportsmanship," he said.

Christina Bonnetrouge did particularly well finishing first in seven of her eight races in the girls' age 11 to 12 division, Kirwan said. All of the swimmers had practised for an hour twice a week since the pool opened in early June to prepare for the meet.

The Fort Liard Dolphins including William Newbury, Adrien Tremblay, Vaughn Nelson, Jamie Berreault, Brittany Newbury, Taeresha Berreault, Naomi Timbre, Precious Hope, Alice Berreault and Kali Norn celebrated there third place in finish in the pool division and winning the team spirit award.

"They did awesome, Everyone got first in at least one event," said Victoria Perron, the team's coach.

Brittany Newbury performed exceptionally well taking first place in the 25 and 50 metre front crawl, the 25, 50 and 100 metre back crawl, the 100 metre individual medley and the 25 metre breaststroke. This was Brittany's first swim meet. She joined the team after watching her brother William compete earlier in the season.

"I was proud of myself. I thought I did really good," Brittany said.

"Everyone on the team did really well."

The Dolphin's team spirit award was handed out based on a vote by the coaches and judges. The Dolphins cheered on their own team and the other teams. They'd also practise shaking their opponents' hands while in the lanes after the races, Perron said.

"Our goal was to have tons of fun. Having everyone do well was just a bonus," she said.

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