Local swimmer medals at NAIG

By Lori Larsen

New member of the Camrose Sea Serpents swim club, 12-year-old Destiny Castagna, is already making her mark as a valuable asset to the team and a prolific swimmer.

During the North American Indigenous Games held on July 15 to 23 in Kjipuktuk Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia, Destiny competed in six swimming events including: 50m free (placing 10th); 200m Individual Medley IM (placing 4th); 50m back (placing 6th); 50m fly (placing 7th); 100m backstroke (placing 5th) and the 200m backstroke and the 200m free relay placing 3rd earning her bronze medals.

passed her personal best, proving that hard work and passion truly pay off.”

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) began in 1970 with a goal to provide Indigenous athletes with an outlet to realize not only the potential of their bodies, minds and spirit but the strength and spirit of their indigenous culture.

The NAIG brings together over 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756 Indigenous Nations across North America in celebration of sport and culture, which puts Destiny’s incredible achievements into perspective.

Not one to rest on her

“For the 200 IM I set an ALL STARS Team record,” smiled Destiny.

Destiny swam the 200 IM faster than anyone previously to date, earning the record of ALL STARS Team Best time at 2:47.83, an amazing feat for anyone, let alone a 12-year-old.

Destiny has been swimming competitively since she was six-years-old with the Alberta Summer Swim Association (ASSA). She swam with Wainwright for one year prior to the pandemic, took a break during the pandemic and then returned to swim for Wainwright for a year, last summer, and then her family moved to Camrose and in May she joined the Sea Serpents Summer Swim Club.

Although Destiny is an all-around athlete, enjoying a variety of sports, her love for water and being able to focus specifically on her individual “game” has fueled her passion for swimming.

“I like listening to other people competing. But I also find, because I don’t like other people watching me (when she completes), when I am swimming I can’t see anyone else.”

She explained that during marshalling (swimmers waiting for their race to begin) she sits and visualizes her race, focusing on beating her own personal bests.

However marshalling has also been a source of socialization for Destiny, and no doubt other swimmers.

“When you are sitting and marshalling it is really easy to make friends. I met one of my best friends (who just happened to be from Camrose Sea Serpents when Destiny was competing on a different team), while marshalling.”

“The North American Indigenous Games includes a bunch of sports and it is all Indigenous athletes, 13-19 years-old,” explained Destiny.

“I competed in swimming for two days in six events (as noted above),” added Destiny, excited to have had the opportunity to compete in the event. “It was really awesome. I was in the finals and won third in that heat and that is when I won the medals. I cried.”

Sea Serpent’s head coach, Jana Gau, couldn’t be prouder of Destiny’s achievements and overall dedication. “Destiny exhibited extraordinary dedication, skill and determination as she dove into the competition.

“Against fierce competitors from all across North America she fearlessly showcased her talent, leaving us all in awe. With unyielding determination, she pushed her limits and sur- laurels, Destiny literally returned from the NAIG for a quick turn around to compete in the ASSA ALL STARS provincials in Calgary for year-round swimmers on July 27 to 30.

“Because summer clubs (such as the Camrose Sea Serpents) only swim four months in the summer we swim under a summer association affiliated with Swim Alberta,” explained Gau. “There are year-round swimmers that swim all year, training to get their qualification times and it is really hard for summer swimmers to get their qualification time. So when they do, like Destiny did, it is a huge accomplishment, and then to be invited to this competition.”

Not only did Destiny become one of the few swimmers from Camrose to ever qualify for this event but she also achieved personal best times in many of her events, including the 200m IM

Destiny’s passion, insight and professionalism speaks volumes not only about her, but her upbringing and the coaching she has received and continues to receive, over her “young” career as a swimmer.

“She trains twice per day from Monday until Thursday and participates in swim meets on the weekends,” noted Gau. “This dedication in her training allows her to continue to lower her race times with each swim meet she participates in. This year she has competed in eight swim meets earning three bronze, three silver and two gold medals.”

The next level of competition for Destiny and Sea Serpents teammates was at the ASSA regionals held in Sherwood Park August 11 to 13, after which the team will head onto Provincials held in Edmonton on August 18 to 20.

While Destiny is still typically a delightful 12-year-old this outstanding athlete, no doubt, has a bright future ahead of her.