Sault Surge shows well
WINDSOR — They represented Sault Ste. Marie rather well here at a recent high end swim meet that was held at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Center, which is a spectacular world class facility on Pitt St. W. in the city’s downtown area.
In all, 26 swimmers from the Sault Surge Aquatic Team participated at the annual Border City Invitational Swim Meet that was hosted by the Windsor Aquatic Club. In total, more than 1,000 athletes representing 21 swim clubs were in attendance here at the meet.
To be sure, the Surge represented Sault Ste. Marie well, swimming to 94 personal best times to go along with one gold medal, two silver and five bronze medals. Overall, the crew from the Sault Surge Aquatic Team finished in 15th place overall and in doing so, was able to match last year’s point total of 124.5 points. (Points are earned for individual and relay performances finishing in the top 10 in each age group.)
A number of individual performances highlighted the efforts by the Sault Surge. They include the following results and finishes.
— Sophia Li swam to a gold medal finish in the girls 13 years old 50 metre backstroke. Li scored 29 points overall by finishing in the top 10 in all but one individual event. Li’s times in the 100 m and 200 backstroke, 100 m and 200 m breaststroke and the 400 m freestyle and medley events all qualified her for the upcoming Ontario Age Group Provincial Championship meet in February that is slated to be held in Toronto.
— Emma Vallee had a strong meet by swimming to one silver medal in the girls 12 400 m freestyle along with four bronze medals for 50 m and 100 m breaststroke, and the 200 m and 400 m individual medley races. Vallee’s 43.5 points led the way for the Surge. She also qualified for the February Age group Provincial Championship meet in the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m freestyle as well as 400 m freestyle and individual medley, 100 m and 200 m breaststroke events. Vallee also set new club records in three of her individual events.
— Brie Reid swam to a silver medal in what was a very competitive girls 15 years old age category in the 50 m breaststroke event. Reid has also iqualified to attend the Ontario Age Group Provincial Championships. She has made the finals in the past at the provincial level in the past.
— Andrew Li swam to a bronze medal in the boys 15 years old 50 m backstroke event. Li’s 20 points led the Surge male team at the meet as he finished in the top 10 for his age group in seven individual events. Li has also qualified to attend Ontario Age group Championships in the 100 m backstroke and is closing in on numerous other events.
— Angela Thomson picked up six points to go with five personal best times including a drop of over 20 seconds in the 400 m individual medley and moved closer to the qualification standard for age group provincials.
Also scoring points for the Sault Surge were Oliver Bennetto, Haylen Leonard, and Alexander Orazietti with top 10 finishes in individual events.
Every swimmer representing the Surge swam to a new personal best time in multiple events. The biggest time drop at the meet for the Surge swimmers went to Elsa Mackay as she dropped over 60 seconds off of her previous best time for the 800 metre freestyle. Adam Abassy swam to personal best times in every event including drops of over 10 seconds in three individual events.
Meanwhile, the Surge returns to training as it now prepares for multiple upcoming regional and provincial championship meets. Included in the upcoming meets is the Sault Surge Aquatic Team hosted Dave Kensit Memorial North Eastern Ontario Regional Championships that are slated to be held February 7 to 9 of next year at the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool.
Registration continues to be open for new swimmers who may be interested in joining the Sault Surge Aquatic Team. Information is available at www.saultsurge.com.