Local swimmers dive into competition

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Five local swimmers are in Montreal to challenge the best in Canada for pool predominance.

Justin Leclair and Ian Blechta from the Valley East Waves Swim Club and Robert Clendenning, Jordan Hotta and Jacob Toner from the Laurentian Swim Club are representing Greater Sudbury at Canadian Age Group National Championships.

The action started Thursday night, but runs through until Sunday.

Clendenning is swimming in the 50-metre freestyle event. He's keeping his expectations modest.

"I'm not going to be one of the fastest swimmers...I'll be against the best and some of the swimmers are Olympic qualifiers," said the 15-year-old. "I'll have my work cut out for me. I hope to set a new personal best...by going 26:53.53, which is a half-second faster than my best. It may not seem like a lot, but in 50-metres, it is."

Hotta will challenge in the 100-m and 200-m breaststroke. He's been to nationals before, but has demons outside the pool to contend with.

"The first time I went, my nerves got to me and I bombed some of my races badly," said the 15-year-old. "This time, I feel more confident and ready to do a lot better. Nationals are great for me. Before swimming, I wasn't good in any other sport. I never thought I would make it to a national event, let alone compete in it."

Toner will compete in the 1,500-m race. This is his first time at nationals.

"I feel I have accomplished a lot," said the 13-year-old. "It's taken me a long time to realize this. I have never doubted myself and my hard work has paid off."

Blechta will dive in to partake in the 50-m and 100-m breaststroke events. He's also thrilled to be at his first national championships and will take a cerebral approach.

"It's exciting and it really encourages me to do more," said the 16-year-old. "Nationals is going to be a great learning experience for me. I get to see all the top swimmers in Canada for my age group at once. I will study what the best swimmers do to prepare and it can only improve me as a swimmer."

Leclair will test his mettle in the 100-m backstroke. He is also a rookie at the national level.

"It means everything to me to go," said the 13-year-old. "I've always wanted to go, especially with my good friend Ian (Blechta). He made and it made me work harder in the pool too, so I could qualify. I'm looking to keep improving my time, and maybe finish in the Top 10."