BY SCOTT
HADDOW
There's a tidal wave approaching Ottawa, and its origin is
Greater Sudbury.
Two swim clubs, the Valley East Waves and the Sudbury
Laurentian Swim club, are sending a total of eight swimmers to
the provincial championships, which start today and run until
Sunday, July 9.
The Waves are represented by Frank Louiseize and Justin
Leclair, while Laurentian sends Jordan and Kelly Hotta, James
Clendenning, Mitchell Vatcher, Hayden Kosmerly and Leah Derro.
Louiseize, who has a cognitive disability, has been climbing
the ranks over the years and is rolling along heading into the
competition.
 "Frank has progressed to the level of national swimmer,
so provincials have become old hat for him," said Waves head
coach Sharon Leger. "Frank's disability doesn't slow him down
at all. He's great at repetition swimming. He works on the
perfection of his stroke."
Louiseize, 17, will compete in the 50-metre, 100-m and 400-m
freestyle, 100-m breaststroke, 100-backstroke and 200-m
individual medley.
"I want to go there...focus on all my strokes and win," said
Louiseize. "I am good at long distance races. Meeting new
people, at provincials, is always nice. It's more about fun."
Leclair is a young swimmer on the rise.
"Justin is a strong 12 year old...this is his sixth
provincial championship," said Leger. "He can swim all four
strokes quite well. He is a very good at keeping a good stroke
rate and pushing the swim. He's a real competitor."
Leclair will compete in several events, including the
individual medley.
 "I'm trying to be on the Top 3 and get on the podium,"
said Leclair. "I just have to go hard. My confidence is working
for me right now...I know I can beat certain people. I am
excited to go to the provincials."
Leclair doesn't mind the grind of carrying a hectic training
schedule, even as summer vacation arrives.
"I love this sport...I am not outside sweating and I am in
the pool," joked Leclair.
The Laurentian swimmers are stoked to take on the best in
Ontario.
"We have a very young team," said coach Richard Buwaj. "Our
swimmers could win some medals. They show some great attitude
and progress. All the swimmers will put their mark on this
competition. We are not going there for experience...we are
going to compete. We may be a small team as well, but people
will remember it as a quality team."
Hotta, 10, will be looking to mine precious metal at
provincials.
"I want to win a couple of golds," said Hotta. "It will take
a lot to win gold. I have to do my best. The whole team is
good. My best event is the 100-m fly or 50-m freestyle. I like
to sprint a lot...short races are good for me."
 Hotta will be racing in the 50-m, 100-m and 200-m
freestyle, 50-m and 100-m fly and 50
Kosmerly, 11, is anxious for provincials as it will be his
first time. He will compete in the 50-m, 100-m and 200-m
freestyle and the 100-m fly.
"It feels good to be going," said Kosmerly. "It means a lot to me. I am really looking forward to it. Last time, I just missed going by eight milliseconds in a couple of events. I hope to get in the Top 5 or Top 10. I have to really work hard and have some luck. It should be a lot of fun."
