BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club is sending the biggest team
from northeastern Ontario to compete at the Ontario
championships this weekend in Ottawa.
And they have big expectations.
A total of eight swimmers made the provincial qualifying grade
and will do their best against the best in the province.
"We are sending a very strong team," said head coach Richard
Buwaj. "I expect them to compete well and maybe we'll see some
of them in the finals. I also expect to see them set new
personal best times. They're all ready for this
competition."
The club also had five members qualify for the national
championships, which are two weeks down the road. But they must
focus on the provincial meet first.
Robert Clendenning made provincials in the 50-metre and 100-m
freestyle and the 100-m butterfly.
He has been going to provincial championships for the past four
years.
"This year, I am rated in the Top 15 in my age group, so I
definitely want to make it to the finals and try for a medal,"
said the 15-year-old. "To have that kind of success, I will
need a lot of sleep...it makes me a better swimmer. I will also
have to give my all every race."
Clendenning has qualified for the Canadian national
championships in the 50-m freestyle event as well.
Jordan Hotta earned his right to go to provincials in the 100-m
and 200-m breaststroke. He's looking to place in the Top 8 and
make the finals. He would love to set new personal best times,
but his nerves are wreaking havoc.
"It's not going to be easy at all," said the 15-year-old. "I
need to maintain a good rhythm throughout my races. I have to
keep my nerves in check and not let them get to me. I've been
having problems with my nerves lately. I don't know why...it
just happens, but I am working hard to get them under
control."
Hotta sees provincials as redemption time.
"I haven't had a successful year compared to the past," said
Hotta. "This is a chance for me to get back into the groove of
things."
Hotta has also already qualified for the Canadian national
championships too, in the same events.
James Clendenning made provincials for the 100-m and 200-m
butterfly and the 50-m freestyle.
This is his eighth time at provincials, which gives him
valuable past experience.
"I know what to expect," said the 14-year-old. "It was scary
the first time. I'm not really scared now, well kind of because
it is one of the biggest meets in Ontario and the best swimmers
are there. I want to finish in the Top 8...my training and
working hard will be the key."
The 14-year-old also qualified for nationals, but will skip the
event, as he wants to have more free time in the summer.
Leah Darro will work her magic at provincials in the 100-m and
200-m butterfly and the 50-m and 100-m freestyle events.
She wants to reach the finals in the 100-m and 200-m butterfly
events.
"I haven't taken any time off my personal best in the 200-m
butterfly in about a year, so I will be looking to trim it
down," said the six time provincial qualifier. "I think I'm
ready to finally do it. It would be a nice accomplishment. I
will have to bring everything I have in the preliminaries and,
if I make it, the finals. It's going to be very exhausting.
I've been feeling tired about swimming recently, so it would be
rewarding to get to finals."
Darro also qualified for nationals, but will pass because she
feels she needs a break to rest.
Jacob Toner has made his first provincial event, in the 400-m
freestyle and 100-m and 200-m butterfly. It has him
thrilled.
"This is a big deal for me," said the 13-year-old. "I want to finish in the Top 16. I believe I have done what I needed to do to reach that goal by training really hard."
Toner will only get one chance in each race to prove himself.
In his age group, there are no preliminaries, just finals.
"It puts extra pressure on me," said Toner. "I have to leave it
all out on the line and swim my fastest."
Casey Thompson, Alex Langlois and Kelly Hotta were the other
three swimmers who also qualified for provincials, but were
unavailable for comment.
"Our team is excited to go...it's a good experience for the
swimmers," said Buwaj. "They can see where they rank up against
the other swimmers in the province. They can then make better
goals. We're sending the largest team in the region and it
shows we have a good program here...that's what keeps this club
going. Maybe next year, we will send 15 swimmers...who
knows?"
