Local Special Olympic athletes win 18 medals

The Peterborough Special Olympic Swimming Team brought home 18 medals from their first official swim meet this season at the Anne Ottenbrite Meet in Pickering on March 17.

Eighteen swimmers placed in the top three, achieving many personal bests while demonstrating outstanding team spirit. Among the local swimmers are 10 athletes who qualified to compete in swimming at the Special Olympic Provincials held in Kitchener Waterloo in May.

Leading the way was Steve Caban, who won the 100-metre backstroke, 100-metre free, 100-metre breaststroke and 100-metre individual medley. Lisa Butler placed first in the 200-metre freestyle, second in the 100-metre free and third in the 25-metre butterfly and 50metre free.

Crystal Cochrane won the 25-metre back and 25-metre free while placing second in the 50-metre back. Mark Crowder was first in the 50-metre free, second in the 25metre back, 25-metre free and 50metre back.

Jasmine Davis was second in the 25-metre back and 25-metre free and third in the 50-metre back. Krista Embury placed first in the 25-metre back and second in the 25-metre free.

Nick Gardiner finished in second place in the 25-metre back and third in 25-metre fly. Meagan Glaeser was second in the 50-metre back and third in the 25-metre free and 50-metre free. Hannah Goode was first in the 25-metre back and third in the 50-metre free.

Nicole Hewitt came first in the 50-metre back and third in the 50metre free. Carly Hopkinson finished in third place in the 25-metre back.

Mercedes Laking placed first in the 100-metre free and 50-metre back, and second in the 50-metre free. Breanne Mackenzie placed second in the 50-metre free.

Gillian McHugh finished second in the 25-metre free and third in the 25-metre back and 50-metre free. Miriam McHugh took first place in the 25-metre free and 50-metre back and second in the 25-metre back and 50-metre free.

Kacee Quinlan placed first in the 25-metre back and third in the 25metre fly. Tessa Scates finished second in the 100-metre free and the 200-metre free and third in the 50metre back.

Dominic Wichmann was first in the 50-metre back, second in the 25-metre back and third in the 50metre free.

PETERBOROUGH SPECIAL OLYMPICS PHOTO The Peterborough Special Olympics swimming team captured 18 medals at the Anne Ottenbrite Swim Meet in Pickering on March 17. Ten team members have qualified for the provincial championships in May. Team members include, front row from left, Krista Embury, coach Natalie Green, Hannah Goode, coach Mary Jane Smith, Lisa Butler, coach Jillian Scates, Carly Hopkinson and Jasmine Davis; second row from left, team manager Jenn Scates, Tessa Scates, Breanne Mackenzie, Nick Gardner, Kacee Quinlan, head coach Debbie Quinlan and Mercedes Laking; third row from left, Dominic Wichmann, Meagan Glaeser, Mark Crowder, Steve Caban, Miriam McHugh, coach Jen Wichmann and Nicole Hewitt; and back row from left, Gillian McHugh and Crystal Cochrane.