BY SCOTT
HADDOW
A huge contingent of local swimmers is heading down to
Mississauga to compete against the best in Ontario.
Two local clubs - the Valley East Waves (VEW) with four
swimmers, and the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club (SLSC) with
eight swimmers - are sending a total of 12 athletes to go for
gold from March 1-4.
The two clubs have been building up momentum heading into the
2007 Ontario Short Course Provincial Championships, with many
swimmers earning high finishes in recent events.
For the VEW, Justin Leclair, Colin and Spencer Hirschfeld and
Ian Bletcha will look to make a big splash.
The VEW Club is also excited about sending a four-person relay
team to compete for the first time.
"We have several swimmers who qualified for the provincial
championships...and we're proud of them," said VEW head coach
Sharon Leger. "These kids have been training and working hard
all season...and it shows in their results."
Leclair will compete in several events including the 50- and
400-metre freestyle event. He also qualified in the 200-m
backstroke and freestyle.
"It feels great to be able to go to provincials," said the
13-year-old. "I train hard and it takes up a lot of time, but
it's worth it when you make provincials. The 50-m freestyle is
one of my better events...the only sprint I'm good at. I'm
better at long distance events."
Leclair has been to provincials seven times before. He has had
great success in the past and hopes to duplicate this year.
"My best year was in 2005...when I won gold in the 100-m
individual medley," said Leclair. "I want to keep it up...and
hopefully I can make it to the podium and win another
medal."
This will be Bletcha's first provincial championship. He
qualified in numerous events, including the 50-m, 100-m and
200-m breaststroke.
"It's amazing to be able to go...I've never been to a
provincial event before," said the 15-year-old. "Now, this
year, all of a sudden I'm doing better and qualifying, so it
feels good."
Blechta is keeping his aspirations realistic.
"I'm hoping to beat my best times and just improve overall,"
said Blechta. "I've never swam this fast before, so it's
exciting for me. I've been working hard...and it has made a
difference."
For the SLSC, they will be also looking to win some medals at
the event.
At a recent event in Sault Ste. Marie, the SLSC members put on
a fantastic show, earning several provincial qualifying times.
Robert Clendenning, 15, qualified in 50-m freestyle and the
100-m freestyle. James Clendenning, 13, qualified in 200-m
butterfly. Kasey Thompson, 9, qualified for the 400-m
freestyle.
They will be joined by Mitchell Vatcher, Kelly Hotta, Tyler
Richardson, Leah Derro and Jordan Hotta in Mississauga.
"A lot of swimmers swam personal bests...the kids have been
training very well all year," said SLSC coach Richard Buwaj in
a press release.
