Trent swimmers win medals in Guelph
Rachel Chayer won eight medals including six gold and two silver for the Trent Swim Club at the Guelph Marlins Dash for Cash.
She was one of 35 TSC swimmers to compete Dec. 8-9 at the Athletic Centre Gold Pool on the campus of the University of Guelph. Approximately 450 swimmers representing 14 teams including Thunder Bay Thunderbolts, Region of Waterloo Swim Club and Cambridge Aquajets.
Chayer, 15, led the way, winning the 200-metre Individual Medley, 400 Individual Medley, 200 freestyle, 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 backstroke in the girl’s 15-16 age group. She finished second in the 100 freestyle and 50 fly and achieved in the process, four provincial Ontario Championships standards. Following closely behind, Ryder Linde Elmhirst, competing in the 17 and over boys division, won the 200 and 800 freestyle.
He finished second in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and third in the 200 fly. He set personal best times in the 100, 200, 800 freestyle and 200 fly and qualified for the Ontario Junior Youth Provincial championships in three out of the four swims.
Linde Elmhirst's performance in the 200 freestyle is currently ranked top 50 in the country and top 20 in the province in the male 27-year-olds.
Chayer's performance in the 200 freestyle also places her in the top 50 nationally and top 20 provincially for 25-year-old females. Chayer and Linde Elmhirst join 17-year-old Evan Feick, who is also ranked top 20 provincially and top 50 nationally in two events, 50 and 100 breaststroke. Feick competed at the Ontario Junior International in Toronto on the weekend.
Maxeen Mullen, 14, had two victories in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, finished second in the 200 IM and third in the 200 fly.
Jaiden Rose, 15, placed second in the 200 backstroke and third in the 200 IM.
Rowan Campbell, 10, finished an outstanding weekend with wins in the 200 IM and 200 breast, finished second in the 100 backstroke and 100 breast and third in the 100 fly.
Elise Furgal, 10, finished second in the 50 fly, 100 freestyle and third in the 50 breast, 100 breast, 50 free and 100 fly.
Tanner Harris Barton, 11, won the 100 fly, was second in the 200 IM, 200 fly, 400 freestyle and third in the 50 breast. Makayla Tucker, 11, finished second in the 100 fly and 200 fly while Kate Hopkins, 11, placed third in the 200 breast.
Samuel Loureiro Kent, 16, placed second in the 200 backstroke, 800 freestyle and third in the 200 IM. Danica Deck,14, was third in the 200 IM and third in the 100 breast. Sadie May, 17, had a second place in the 200 breast.
Finishing in the top eight in their respective age groups were Olivia Akiyama (50 fly), Ayden Capsey (50 fly), Griffith Dunkin (50 breast), Ali Jones (200 IM, 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 800 freestyle), John Mitchell (200 breast), Kelly Mitchell (200 breast), Macy Mullen (200 IM, 100 back, 200 back, 100 breast, 200 breast), Clara Murison (100 back, 200 back, 50 free, 100 free, 200 freestyle), Patrick Tompkins (200 IM, 200 breast, 400 freestyle) and Patrick Turner (50 back, 100 back, 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 100 breast).
Special mention goes to 16year-old Paige Piche and 14-yearold Hanna Gazzard. Both swimmers participated in the final of the 50 breast eliminator and finished with lifetime best swims. Piche was also top eight in the 200 IM, 50 breast, 100 breast, and 200 back.