Twenty-six swimmers represented the Sault Surge Aquatic Team at the annual Border City Invitational hosted by the Windsor Aquatic Club this past weekend. Over 1,000 athletes representing 21 swim clubs were in attendance at the meet.
The Surge represented themselves well, swimming to 94 personal best times to go along with one gold medal, two silver and five bronze medals.
Overall The Sault Surge Aquatic Team finished in 15 place overall matching last year’s point total of 124.5 points. Points are earned for individual and relay performances finishing in the top 10 in each age group.
Sophia Li swam to a gold medal finish in the girls 13 years old 50m Backstroke. Li scored 29 points overall by finishing in the top 10 in all but one individual event. Li’s times in the 100m and 200 backstroke, 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 400m freestyle and medley events all qualified her for the Ontario Age Group Provincial Championship meet in February to be held in Toronto.
Emma Vallee had a strong meet swimming to one silver medal in the girls 12 400m freestyle along with four bronze medals for 50m and 100m Breaststroke, and the 200m and 400m individual medley races.
Vallee’s 43.5 points led the way for the Surge. She also qualified for the February Age group Provincial Championship meet in the 200m, 400m, 800m freestyle as well as 400m freestyle and individual medley, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. Vallee also set new club records in three of her individual events.
Brie Reid swam to a silver medal in a very strong girls 15 years old age category in the 50m breaststroke event. Reid also is qualified to attend the Ontario Age Group Provincial Championships. She has made finals in the past at the provincial level in the past.
Andrew Li swam to a bronze medal in the boys 15 years old 50m backstroke event. Li’s 20 points led the Surge male team at the meet as he finished in the top 10 for his age group in seven individual events. Li is also qualified to attend Ontario Age group Championships in the 100m backstroke and closing in on numerous other events.
Angela Thomson picked up six points to go with five personal best times including a drop of over 20 seconds in the 400m individual medley and moved closer to the qualification standard for age group provincials.
Also scoring points for the team were Oliver Bennetto, Haylen Leonard, and Alexander Orazietti with top 10 finishes in individual events.
Every swimmer representing the Surge swam to a new personal best time in multiple events, a release said. The biggest time drop at the meet for the Surge swimmers belongs to Elsa Mackay as she dropped over 60 seconds off of her previous best time for the 800m freestyle. Adam Abassy swam to personal best times in every event including drops of over 10 seconds in three individual events.
The Surge return to training as they prepare for the upcoming regional and provincial championship meets including the Sault Surge Aquatic Team hosted Dave Kensit Memorial North Eastern Ontario Regional Championships Feb. 7-9, 2025 at the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool.
Registration continues to be open for new swimmers wishing to join the Sault Surge Aquatic Team with information available at www.saultsurge.com.