Local swimmers make a splash in Ottawa
Kawartha Artistic Swimming sends athletes to Masters, Regional League winter event
Kawartha Artistic Swimming (KAS) athletes brought home four first-place results and other medals from their first competition of the season on Feb. 17-18.
At the combined Masters and Regional League winter competition in Ottawa, the club’s 24 athletes competed in six different events. In the Regional League competition, athletes competed in both the routine and individual figures events.
The team of Lauren Chambers, Lilly Fenton, Brynne Kyle, Jane Hickey, Shylah Van Rooyen and Martha Wilbur-Smith competed in the 16-20 age routine category. Their swim earned them a firstplace finish. The team is coached by Dani Smith.
Two KAS teams performed their routine in the 11-12 age group. The team of Charlotte Brown, Scotty Atkinson, Abby Scott, Leila Sherrer, Kayla Dales and Jocelyn Corner swam to a first-place finish.
“This team has been working hard preparing their routine,” stated coach Sabrina Adam, in a KAS news release.
“This is their second season of competition, and we have really stepped up the difficulty in their routine. I am proud of how they have stepped up to the challenge.”
The second 11-12 team earned a second-place finish in their routine. Team members include Emily Armour, Julie O’Brien, Juno Sawdon, Emily Teixeira and Harper Mason. They are coached by Smith.
“This is the first year in our competitive program for all swimmers on this team.” stated Smith. “I wasn’t sure what to expect going into their first competition, and I am beyond proud of these swimmers.”
Ruby McKinley and Anna Stresman competed in the 10 and under routine category, earning third place. They are coached by Greer Kelly.
“These young swimmers did such a great job representing our club in their first-ever competition,” said Kelly. “I can’t wait to see what they can do next time.”
Regional League athletes’ success continued into the 11-12 and 10 and under individual figure competitions, with multiple athletes earning ribbon placings.
In the 11-12 age category, Dales received the second-place ribbon, with Brown earning third, Scott finishing in fifth place and Sherrer receiving the sixth-place ribbon for the East region figures. Further results include Teixeira coming 13th, Atkinson 14th, Corner 18th, O’Brien 22nd, Sawdon 25th, Armour 28th and Mason 34th. In the 10 and under figure category, McKinley finished seventh and Stresman ninth.
In the Masters Regional competition, the KAS team of Sabrina Adam, Allison Adam, Kaelyn Stoyles and Myah Sandiland earned a gold medal. In the Masters solo event, Marissa Wheeler also brought home the gold medal. Both the team and solo competed in the 1834 age category.
“The Masters competition is always great to watch,” says Smith. “It is great that swimmers have the opportunity to compete into adulthood. These five swimmers are amazing role models for our young swimmers, and I love that they get to cheer each other on and support each other at this competition.”
KAS athletes will compete next in the masters provincials in Markham at the beginning of April, with the Regional League athletes returning to Ottawa for their final competition the end of April.