ONTARIO CUP
January 21-22, 2012
A small contingent of eleven ROW swimmers participated in the Ontario Cup held at the University of Toronto. This was the first Long Course meet of the season for the Club. “The main purpose of the meet was to give Olympic Hopefuls the opportunity to get the much needed Long Course racing in before Trials.” said Coach Russ Franklin. “We did not rest our swimmers for this meet so I was delighted that we had some Best Time Performances.”
Dean Bennett and Holly Gojmerac both turned in two Personal Best Times; Dean in the 100 Free and 200 Fly and Holly in the 50 Back and 400 IM. Other PBT were done by John Fauteux in the 50 Breast and Alexander Elliot in the 400 IM. There were no Finals in this Time Trial type event but if there were 5 ROW swimmers would have made the Consolation Finals. They were Holly, Dean, and John as listed above with team mates Tess Wey in the 100 Fly and Luke Summerhayes in the 50 Breast.
Full results can be found on the SNC website.
ROW SWIM CLUB HAS GREAT SHOWING at the GATINEAU MEET
December 16-18, 2011
With the Holidays just around the corner, the ROW Swim Club decided to celebrate a little early while attending the Gatineau Invitation de Noël swim meet on the weekend of December 16th. Fifty-two team members made the 6 hour journey down the 401 highway to lock horns with 24 other Clubs from Quebec and Ontario. There were actually 3 meets in one including Regional and Provincial time standards.
Thirty-four different ROW swimmers made it through to the Finals for a total of 72 swims. “It was AWESOME to see so many of our swimmers getting to swim at night, there is such a big opportunity to learn from the morning swims” said ROW coach Tim Sauvé. Swimmers did not return home empty handed as the Team brought home 40 medals. Of note, the Club won medals in all of the age categories of both the Freestyle and Medley Relays that they competed in.
Coach Russ Franklin remarked “This meet was a big success on many different levels, we are happy with the performance results and the incredible number of best times. Sixty-nine percent of the group swam 100% best times, we are also encourage by our Club's ranking in the meet against this level of competition, as well the great Team Spirit the team showed throughout the meet… and it is still growing”.
Not all the successes happen in the Pool, Franklin added “I was impressed and proud of our swimmers’ conduct, deportment and co-operation throughout the weekend. The Team Travel was a great experience for everyone. Thanks to our Travel Manager Tania Shushack and our Team Chaperones Doug and Vera MacKenzie for making this all possible, I can't wait for the next one.”
CLUB RECORDS
There were two new Club Records set at this meet, Twelve year old Lauren Shearer eclipsed the Club Record in the 50m Breaststroke posting a time of :36.78 and Jenny Zhang dropped the mark in the 13&14 50m Butterfly to a new record time of :30.18
ROW's complete results can be found on the SNC website (link on Meets page). Click here for further highlights.
Congratulations to all that participated in this fantastic meet, it was a pleasure to work!
Happy Holidays to all the ROW Members,
ROW Coaching Staff
NYAC YOUTH CUP
December 1-4, 2011
Fauteux Finish at the Youth Cup
The ROW Swim Club sent a small team to compete in this year’s Youth Cup held at the Etobicoke Olympium. Most swimmers were using this meet as a tune-up for the upcoming Gatineau Invitational happening later this month. Most, but not all … fourteen year old John Fauteux was determined to continue his assault on the Club’s Record Board. The Youth Cup would be his last meet competing in the 13&14 age category before turning 15. The result … 5 Events - 5 Finals - 5 Personal Best Times - 4 medals, and two new Club Records.
John picked up 2 Bronze medals in the 100 -200 Breaststrokes, a Silver in the 100 Freestyle and he brought home the Youth Cup winning the 50 Freestyle. John broke the Club records in the 100 Free with a time of 55.45 and he posted a blistering 25.12 for a new record in the 50 Free. John’s teammate, Eric Bumbulis swam in the same 50 Free Final placing 8th with a time of 26.31.
Eight out the ten ROW swimmers accomplished at least one Personal Best time which is a good sign for the upcoming Gatineau meet. Two Gold group swimmers that went 100% best times were Lauren Shearer and Lukas Wormald. Lauren placed third, taking the Bronze Medal in the 11&12 age group for her efforts in the 100 Breast where she chopped 3 seconds off her best time. She had a 6th place finish in the 200 Breast. Eleven year old Lukas finished 7th in the 200 Backstroke for his best ranking and destroyed many of his Personal Best Times.
Congratulations to all swimmers who participated … Look out Gatineau, here we come!
Brantford Swim International Results
November 17, 2011
With only one week in between their last competition, 40 athletes from the ROW Swim Club traveled to Brantford to compete in the three-day “Swim International” held at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center. This annual competition plays host to many of Ontario’s top Age Group swimmers so the competition is tough and the action is fast and furious.
The swimmers from ROW placed 9th overall out of 31 clubs which was a satisfactory finish according to Head Coach Russ Franklin, “We finished ahead of a lot of other Clubs but we still have a long way to go to get up to the top spot. I was disappointed to see so many of our swimmers turn down the opportunity to swim on the Relays which definitely hurt us in the point standings.”
Over half the participating ROW swimmers advanced to the Finals participating in a total of 47 second swims. The Club won a total of 9 individual medals and 3 relay medals. The lone Gold medal that was won for the Club was earned by 11 yr. old Lukas Wormald who took home the top prize in the 100m backstroke. The Club’s busiest swimmer was 14 yr. old John Fauteux who swam in 5 finals and two relays winning a total of 5 medals while breaking Club Records in the process.
Medal Winners
Braeden Redlich-Stowe 10, for the 50m Free – Bronze
John Fauteux 14, for the 50m Free – Bronze, 100m Free - Silver, 100m Breast - Silver
Lukas Wormald 11, for the 100m Back - Gold, 200m Back - Silver, 200m IM - Bronze
Gordon Fountain 10, for the 50m Fly - Bronze
Dean Bennett 17, for the 200m IM - Silver.
Boys 13-14 Free Relay: Silver for Eric Bumbulis, Kurtis Gray, Andrew Koo, John Fauteux
Boys 13-14 Medley Relay: Bronze for Brad Shushack, Kurtis Gray, Andrew Koo, John Fauteux
Men 17+ Medley Relay: Silver for Dean Bennett, Luke Summerhayes, Chris Riobo, Robbie Gray
Finalists
Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe, Andrew Koo, Braeden Redlich-Stowe, Cassandra Holtby, Christian Riobo, Dean Bennett, Djordje Vlaski, Erik Bumbulis, Gordon Fountain, Holly Gojmerac, Jasmine Raines, Jenny Zhang, Jessica Shushack, John Fauteux, Kurtis Gray, Lauren Shearer, Lukas Wormald, Luke Summerhayes, Nicholas Fauteux, Robbie Gray, and Tess Wey
Boys 10 & Under Free Relay: Braeden Redlich-Stowe, Gordon Fountain, Djordje Vlaski, Nicholas Fauteux
Boys 10 & Under Medley Relay: Kelton Langman, Djordje Vlaski, Nicolas Fauteux, Braeden Redlich-Stowe
Boys 11-12 Medley Relay: Mohammed Al Moallim, Gordon Fountain, Lukas Wormald, Braeden Redlick-Stowe
Women 17+ Medley Relay: Frances Heather, Holly Gojmerac, Tess Wey, Aline Hummer
Fall First Try meet results
November 05, 2011
On Saturday, November 5th, the Pool at the Wilfrid Laurier Athletic Complex was awash with a sea of Black and Blue swim caps when the ROW Swim Club played host to 6 other swim clubs from the region. The ROW Swim Club easily took top honors at the meet because of the overwhelming number of swimmers representing the Club.
The meet ran as two sessions, one in the morning and the second after the lunch break. When the last swimmer of the meet climbed out of the pool, the swimmers from ROW had 270 medals to take home, with 75 being of the GOLD variety. Assistant head coach Tim Sauve remarked, “This is my first exposure to a ROW hosted meet. I was impressed with the organization and the way everything was run.” Tim is new to the Club this season coming from the McMaster University swimming program. He added, “All the swimmers did great. It was nice to see all of the Personal Best times.”
The following is a list of swimmers who had three or more Gold Medals: Aidan Elliot (3), Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe (3), Cassandra Holtby (3), Dean Bennett (5), Frances Heather (3), Holly Gojmerac (4), Jasmine Raines (4), Jenny Zhang (6), Jessica Shushack (3), John Fauteux (6), Lauren Shearer (3), Lukas Wormald (3), Marcel Heather (5), McKayla Meyers (3), Mira Coulombe (3), Mohammed Al Moallim (5), Robbie Gray (3), and Tess Wey (3).
Noteworthy achievements
From the Senior 2 group, a National Age Group Standard time for Cassandra Holtby in the 50m Fly.
From the Gold group, a Provincial Standard time for Lauren Shearer in the 100m Breast and a Regional Final for Darby Gielewski in the 100m Fly.
New Regional Qualifiers
From the Silver group, Kelly Rombough for the 100m Breast, 200m Breast, and 200m IM. Emma Frey for the 100m Free and 50m Free.
From Bronze 1, Kelton Langman, Djordje Vlaske, Victoria Bender Jones, Sophie Richard, Cameron McCuaig, Hannah Cressman.
From Bronze 2, Hannah Baird.
Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated and a special thanks to all the Organizing Committee and the many volunteers who helped make this meet a success.
Black & White Meet Kicks Off The ROW Swim Team's Meet Schedule
October 28, 2011
Saturday October 22nd was the date of the official start of the 2011-12 swim season. This annual meet was held at the WLU Athletic Complex’s pool. The entire ROW Swim Club was divided into two teams that went head to head in a highly competitive FUN MEET. Lots of spirit shown by all swimmers and coaches as the final score for the winning White Team came down to the last Coaches’ Relay.
New head coach, Russ Franklin remarked, “It was fantastic to see everyone come out on a Saturday morning to have a great time with teammates and friends.” All swimmers were treated to a pancake breakfast following the meet. “I would like to give a big thank you to all the volunteers who put on an amazing spread for breakfast”, Franklin added.
ROW will be hosting a meet on November 5th with 5 or 6 local clubs competing, then the following weekend the Team is off to Brantford for the Annual Swim International Invitational.
2011 RLSS Commonwealths — Another Canadian breaks Commonwealth record!
September 30, 2011
The Canadian women are tearing through Canadian and Commonwealth records.
Swimming Friday afternoon, Brittany Shaw smashed the Canadian record in the 50m manikin carry with a time of 36.59 seconds (the previous record set in 2004 was 40.27 seconds). The time also broke the Commonwealth record of 36.71 seconds set in 2006.
Also on Friday afternoon, the Canadian women's team of Gail Findlay-Shirras, Audrey Prayal-Brown, Brittany Shaw and Jennifer Ellison beat the Canadian record of 1:36.76 set by the Rescue 2010 team in Egypt. The ladies swam a time of 1:35.81.
Canada also earned another bronze medal, with Gail Findlay-Shirras' 2:40.18 in the superlifesaver.
Individual results from Friday are below, though the Men's 100m manikin relay and 50m manikin carry finals had not yet been posted when the Canadian delegation left the pool. The full results continue to be posted on the RLSS Commonwealth website.
See 2011 RLSS Commonwealths for more.
ICG Wrap-up
September 12, 2011
The Region of Waterloo Swim Club would like to extend congratulations to its seven athletes that represented the City of Kitchener and ROW by participating in the International Children’s Games, held in Lanarkshire, Scotland from August 3 to the 8th. Kitchener was one of six Canadian cities participating in the games, and one of seventy-seven cities, from thirty-three countries worldwide.
Kitchener's selection of seven athletes, all from ROW, included Emma Wylie, Haley Lintner, Arianne Zamin, Katia Myers, John Fauteux, Alexander Elliot, and Robert Pavlinich. Kitchener left the games with one top three finish, five top ten finishes, and five personal bests.
Arianne Zamin raced the 400 Freestyle with a time of 5:41.50, 200 IM with a time of 3:03.61, 200 Free, as well as the 50 Fly.
Katia Myers raced the 50 Back with a time of 36.87, 100 Fly in 1:26.39, the 100 Back, and 50 Fly.
Haley Lintner swam the 400 Free in 5:45.59, 100 Fly in 1:27.56, 200 Free and 200 IM.
Emma Wylie raced the 100 Free in 1:11.12, 200 Back, 50 Free and 100 Back.
Alexander Elliot placed third in the 200 Fly with a time of 2:18.49. Alexander also finished tenth in the 100 Back, and 8th in the 100 Fly. He also raced the 100 Back.
John Fauteux brought in a fifth place finish in the 200 Breaststroke with a time of 2:39.21. John also finished 8th in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:13.60. He also raced the 50 and 100 Free.
Robert Pavlinich raced the 200 Fly placing eleventh with a time of 3:10.46, 100 Fly , 200 IM and 100 Free.
Region of Waterloo is extremely proud of its athletes! Welcome home from Scotland and best of luck in your upcoming season!
ROW athletes race in Montreal at National Championships
August 02, 2011
Canadian Senior National Championships were held in the recently opened facility in Pointe-Claire from July 21-24. The Region of Waterloo Swim Club was represented by Margot Cunningham and Graeme Kemp.
Margot Cunningham had her best showings at the Canadian National Championships, with 15th in the 100 Backstroke to go along with a 16th in the 50 Back, and a 22nd place finish in the 200 Back.
Graeme Kemp was just tenths of a second over his best times as he moved up the rankings as well in all his races.
The following week in Montreal, the Canadian Age Group Championships were held at the incredible Jean Drapeau Aquatic Complex on Ille Sainte-Helene. This huge aquatic venue has a 10 lane-50 meter main tank along with an 8-lane 50 meter pool and a separate 8-lane diving tank. With 1,700 swimmers (!) from across Canada attending this five day competition, the space was much needed. ROW had 15 swimmers compete at this, the largest competitive meet in the country.
On the first day of competition ROW swimmers had a strong start with many personal bests. Margot Cunningham, fresh off her success at the Canadian Senior Championships, swam to a best time and a Bronze medal in the 200 Back. It was Cunningham’s first medal at this level of competition. On Saturday Margot once again swam to a personal best time, this time in the 100 Back and moved up in the rankings to pick up her second medal of the competition, this time Silver. As a result of Margot being the top finisher from Ontario in the 100 back, she was selected to the Ontario All-Star Team which raced the 4x100 Medley Relay against 8 other Provincial Teams on Sunday night. Team Ontario placed 1st, beating Quebec and Alberta by a comfortable margin.
John Fauteux, in an exciting swim-off for an alternate spot, broke the ROW Club record again in the 50m Breaststroke with a time of 33.05 The next night John finaled in the 100 Breast, placing 8th with a time of 1:12.78.
Kurtis Gray made his first appearance in the final, swimming to a best time and a 5th place finish with a time of 2:41.26 in the 200 Breaststroke.
2011 Summer Nationals
Age Group Championships
Sport Education Leadership Conference
July 15, 2011
Location: Forest Heights Community Centre, 1700 Queen’s Blvd, Kitchener
Dates & Times: August 15-19, 9:30-3:30
Cost: $25.00 per participant for the week!
Are you a teen leader in your sport community?
The City of Kitchener invites youth aged 14-17 to attend a Youth Sport Leadership Conference to be held August 15th to 19th. This conference will inform and educate teens involved in sport on specific leadership skills through the following topics: Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Coaching, Sport Psychology, Cooperative Games, Varsity Athletics.
Respected quest speakers will share their extensive knowledge on these topics with the participants. Youth leaders will learn about resources and tools to think and act creatively as leaders, maximizing the emergence of sport leadership in the KW area.
This opportunity can maximize the potential of emerging leaders towards becoming responsible and participating citizens in their schools, community and future employment. Also, it will provide youth with the opportunity to develop connections with other young community leaders across the community.
Speakers Include:
| Speaker | Occupation | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Duane Shadd | Conestoga College Professor - Health and Wellness and cooperative games | - Coach of numerous sports teams - Former president of local sport club - Volunteer, Canadian Intramural Recreation Association |
| Steve Ingles | Certified Nutritionist, Optimum Health Center Program Owner | - Motivational coaching - Can-Fit Pro member - Fitness and Health Promotion at Conestoga College |
| Hanna Burnett | Laurier Golden Hawks – Women’s Lacrosse Goalie | - OUA Women’s Lacrosse Most Valuable Player - OUA Academic Achievement Award - Outstanding Woman of Laurier Finalist |
| Kathryn McGill | Sport Psychology Consultant | - Works with individual and teams mental skills preparation - Works with students at all grade levels and varsity |
| Nandi Kormendi | Head Coach Region of Waterloo Swim Club & Wilfrid Laurier University swim team | - Coach Pan Pacific Championships and 2003 World Aquatic Championships - ACC National & Junior Coach of the Year 2005 |
Provincial Championship – Kurtis Gray a Provincial Champion!
July 05, 2011
The Ontario Junior Provincial Championships saw almost a thousand of Ontario’s best 17 and Under swimmers from 84 teams across the province compete at the Etobicoke Olympium from June 30 – July 3.
Region of Waterloo Swim Club sent a squad of 22 athletes to the meet, and came away with five medals by the end of the competition.
Kurtis Gray had the best finish for ROW, winning Gold in the 200 Breast and picking up Bronze in the 100 Breaststroke. Graeme Kemp and Lauren Shearer each won Silver Medals, Graeme in his specialty event the 200 Back and Lauren in the 100 Breaststroke. Margot Cunningham rounded out the medals by winning Bronze in the 200 Backstroke.
Lauren Shearer along with Tess Wey also qualified for the Canadian Age Group Championships. Lauren made the cut in the 100 Breast while Tess Wey made it in the 100 Freestyle event.
Top 8 Finishes:
16-17 year old Girls:
- Margot Cunningham: 3rd 200 Back, 4th 100 Back, 6th 200 IM
13 year old Girls:
- Mckayla Meyer: 8th 1500 Free
12 Year old Girls:
- Lauren Shearer 2nd 100 Breast, 6th 200 Breast
10/Under Girls
- Stephanie Zhang 5th 50 Fly
- Felicia Nguyen 6th 50 Fly
17 Year old Boys:
- Graeme Kemp: 2nd 200 Back, 4th 400 IM, 5th 200 IM
16 year old Boys:
- Robbie Gray: 5th 50 Free, 6th 100 Free
- Dean Bennett: 6th 200 IM, 7th 50 Free, 100 Back, 400 IM
- Jimmie Radyk: 8th 200 Breast
14 year old Boys:
- Alex Elliot: 6th 100-200 Fly
- John Fauteux 4th 200 Breast
13 year old Boys:
- Matthew McCuaig: 7th 100 Back
- Kurtis Gray 1st 200 Breast, 3rd 100 Breast
11/Under Boys:
- Lukas Wormald: 5th 200 Back, 6th 100 Back
Swimmers race around Key West; UW student and former ROW swimmer wins
June 18, 2011
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - An 18-year-old Canadian swimmer has circled around the island of Key West in 4 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds.
Cameron McKnight of Waterloo, Ontario, was the first solo finisher in the 12.5-mile Florida Keys Community College Swim Around Key West. He was the race's youngest solo entrant Saturday and is a collegiate swimmer at the University of Waterloo. He also won the men's division.
Dale LeClair took top female honors. The 41-year-old from Boca Raton finished in 5:04:20.
Nearly 150 competitors, in divisions for solo swimmers and relay teams of 2 to six people, followed a clockwise open-water route that circled the island and encompassed the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
Franklin to guide local swim club
Christine Rivet / Jeff Hicks
The Waterloo Region Record
June 17, 2011
WATERLOO — Longtime Montreal-based coach Russ Franklin has been named the new skipper of the Region of Waterloo Swim Club.
The Winnipeg native has drawn rave reviews from the local swim community, including a former ROW coach and the man he will replace.
“I think (in a lot of ways) he’s better than I am,” said former ROW boss Dean Boles, now Swim Ontario’s mentor coach. “He knows his stuff. I think the club and the university will be really happy with him.”
Franklin enters his new position, which includes dual duties as head coach of Wilfrid Laurier University’s swim team, after spending 35 years in Montreal.
He is the former head coach of the Pointe-Claire Swim Club and the Beaconsfield Bluefins.
Franklin has a proven track record of guiding Olympic-calibre swimmers including Craig Hutchison and Stephanie Horner, Boles said.
His approach is a patient one, Franklin said in a news release.
“Over the years I have been fortunate to work with a lot of talented, hard-working athletes that I have developed from the novice level to the national level. I like to think long term for each swimmer which allows them to develop at their own pace.”
ROW, the 35-year-old Olympic juggernaut, launched the international swim careers of Victor Davis, Mike West, Laura Nicholls, Jennifer Button and, most recently, Keith Beavers.
Franklin, in his early 50s, said he was impressed by the club’s commitment to excellence at all levels.
“I think the greater Kitchener-Waterloo area is a vibrant and growing community that can make a huge contribution to the sport both in Ontario and the rest of Canada.”
Franklin replaces departing ROW head coach Nandi Kormendi who recently handed in his resignation.
Kormendi also sang Franklin’s praises. “He’s a strong coach,” he said. “He’s a nice guy. He’s a friend.”
Franklin assumes his duties on Sept. 1.
New Head Coach for the ROW Swim Club and WLU Golden Hawks
Waterloo, ON — June 17, 2011 The Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) is pleased to announce the signing of Russ Franklin to the position of Head Coach. Franklin brings with him 35 years of coaching experience.
“We are looking forward to having Russ lead our Club. It’s our 35th year serving the Community. Russ knows our history and with his experience, the opportunity and potential is here in Waterloo for more success,” said Tracy Bennett, ROW President.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Franklin’s entire coaching career has been on the West Island of Montreal where he has been the Head Coach of the Pointe-Claire Swim Club and is currently the Head Coach of the Beaconsfield Bluefins. Since 1986, Coach Franklin has had a steady stream of his swimmers compete for Canada at the Junior and Senior levels including swimmers who qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“Over the years I have been fortunate to work with a lot of talented, hard working athletes that I have developed from the Novice level to the National Level. I like to think Long Term for each swimmer which allows them to develop at their own pace to reach their full potential as an athlete and a person,” said Franklin.
The now 35-year-old ROW Swim Club has a great tradition and history of developing the local talent into elite athletes that compete at all levels in the sport of swimming. ROW Olympians like Mike West, Laura Nicholls, Jen Button, Keith Beavers, and Olympic champion and world record holder Victor Davis, all swam their laps at the Wilfrid Laurier pool.
“We are proud of our history and very excited to have signed Russ. His experience will help develop all athletes to reach their potential. Russ can get them all the way to the top as ROW has done for the last 4 Olympics. It was a tough decision and a big move leaving Montreal. We are excited for our Club, but it is a big moment for the Province and swimming in Ontario as well,” said Bennett.
When asked why he decided to sign with the ROW team, Franklin remarked, “I was impressed with the Club’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of the sport, from the learn-to-swim and pre-competitive programs right up to the elite levels. I think the greater Kitchener – Waterloo area is a vibrant and growing community that can make a huge contribution to the sport of swimming both in Ontario and the rest of Canada. We have an experienced staff of coaches that I am looking forward to working with and a very dedicated parents’ group that oversees the administration of the club. ROW has a strong relationship with Wilfrid Laurier University which will help keep our senior swimmers training at home. Add to that the great facilities, and I see great potential.”
Coach Franklin will be taking over the reins of the club on September 1st. Russ knows that the first few weeks will be very busy getting settled in and meeting the members of his new club. “My family is excited about making the move to our new home and I am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that lay ahead,” said Franklin.
####
Local swim club getting new head coach
Jeff Hicks
The Waterloo Region Record
June 15, 2011
The Region of Waterloo Swim Club is poised to name a new head coach.
“This guy will be good,” club president Tracy Bennett said on Wednesday, two days before a replacement for the resigned Nandi Kormendi was to be officially named.
“This guy has about 39 years, 35-some-odd years. And he’s coming from out of province.”
That information points to 39-year veteran coach Claude St. Jean, who coached Marianne Limpert to silver at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, as the new lane foreman at ROW and the varsity coach for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.
Bennett declined to name her new coach.
(more at The Record)
Editor's Note: Mr. Hicks has it wrong. The name of the new coach will be revealed in a press release Friday.
‘Class' act in pool, business dies at 95
Valerie Hill
The Waterloo Region Record
June 13, 2011
KITCHENER — When it comes to a pioneering spirit in business and athletics, Harry Class was, well, in a class by himself.
The indefatigable Class, a record -breaking world champion swimmer and diver and a leader in the frozen food industry, died Saturday at age 95.
“He had a happy life, a happy marriage,” said his son, Duncan Class, one of two sons born to Harry and his wife Helen.
Harry Class was also one of two sons. He was born in Kitchener to a funeral director father and homemaker mom.
The family lived on Homewood Avenue, only a few doors from the Queen Street swimming pool that would later bear his name.
“He learned to swim, began entering competitive races,” said Duncan Class.
Duncan Class admits he didn't inherit his father's passion for competition in the pool.
It would have been hard to keep up with a man so driven to excel to the point that when Harry Class entered the pool chances were the other competitors were struck by a feeling of hopelessness, because he was nearly impossible to beat, particularly in the masters level.
As a young man, Class won the Canadian diving championships four times and won a bronze medal at the British Empire Games and broke a Canadian record as a relay team member but all this was only a taste of what was to come once he really hit his stride — or more to the point, his stroke — in his 70s.
Class entered the Royal Military College in Kingston and after graduation, joined the Canadian Army Intelligence Corp where he served in Britain during the war. An interesting wartime job no doubt, though he would never talk about his experiences, his son said. Class actually won his last swim titles as a young man while in the army in 1943 when he took the Canadian Senior Men's Diving Championship.
He would leave behind his swimming career for 40 years. In his four decade absence, he managed some pretty amazing accomplishments.
After discharge from the army, Class joined a firm in Hamilton that was using refrigeration systems developed during the war to transport food for the army.
He started as a salesperson but soon became an industry leader in the frozen food business as president and chief executive officer of Mrs. Smith's Frozen Pies, a Simcoe-based company.
Class was also president of the Ontario Frozen Food Council and presiding chair at a meeting in 1968 that led to the formation of the Canadian Frozen Food Association.
He retired from Mrs. Smith's in 1978 and returned to Kitchener.
In his rare spare moments, Class was an active community volunteer, supporting the Canadian Cancer Society as campaign chair. Of course, he also served the swim community as president and coach of the KW YMCA swim team and as director of the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame for 11 years where he was inducted as both a builder and a diver and was named an honorary member.
But it wasn't until he was 72 that Class went back to the pool as a competitor and he didn't stop until well into his 80s.
Class's list of championship titles fills a page: 16 Canadian championships in the 70-74 age group during which he set 16 records. In the next age category, 75-79 he won 50 gold medals as well as four silvers and four bronze, in competitions in Canada, England, Wales, France and the U.S., breaking 37 records.
His last championship was in 1992 when he took six gold medals in the Senior Olympics in Michigan. Class once reminisced to a reporter that he never received money for competing and as a young man was often forced to hitchhike to swim meets “with only a quarter in my pocket,” he said.
Class was never satisfied with just competition and gave of himself as a coach, referee, chair of Dive Canada to name a few. His name is in the Hall of Fame Aquatic Club, Hall of Fame Waterloo/Wellington and the Swimming Hall of Fame and in 1992, the Queen Street swimming pool was given his name. Duncan Class recalls that his father was often away on business, though he always encouraged his sons with the words “you can do better.”
“He was a quiet, easy going guy,” said Duncan. “He knew what he wanted and he knew what was needed. He did the research.”
In their retirement, Harry Class and Helen took up the unusual hobby of shell collecting, travelling the world and gathering shells from the tide pools and ocean bottoms while swimming or snorkeling. He once described to a reporter how they would time their trips to coincide with the full moon, when more shells are uncovered as the tide recedes further than usual. In fact, he said most of the shells were discovered as he and Helen walked in tidal pools or snorkeled under a full moon.
“Collecting shells is for lovers,” the 82-year-old had dreamily opined.
After Helen died in 1991, Class lost interest in his hobby and eventually donated the collection to Themuseum in downtown Kitchener and historic St. Paul's Lutheran Church, which received more than 1,000 seashells.
See also the Swim Ontario article.
WOSA Regional Swimming Championships
June 14, 2011
Region of Waterloo Swim Club has been an active member in the community for decades, and it is this club that instills in our youth the practice of a healthily lifestyle, life long friendships, and a competitive attitude. These life skills are instilled in their swimmers through hard work, and training. This past weekend ROW not only excelled but earned 475 team points, placing us second overall at the Western Regional Long Course Championships.
ROW had some outstanding swims, and ruled the pool, leaving the meet with over 80 best times, 29 gold medals, 19 silver and 22 bronze. In total, ROW had over 100 top ten finishes.
Highlights of the meet included Mohammed Al Moallim receiving the gold in the 200 back, 100 back, and 50 free, as well as qualifying to compete in the provincial championships. During the meet, 12-year-old Lauren Shearer dropped five seconds in the 200 Individual Medley, taking home the gold. Other meet highlights include John Fauteux receiving the gold medal in the 200 Freestyle and dropping over six seconds and Andrew Koo dropping two seconds in the 100 Free, both qualifying for Provincials. This is only some of the amazing swims that took place with weekend! For a full list of results, check out the Swim Canada website!
Congratulations to all swimmers! You all did a fantastic job!
Medalists
- Abdulaziz Al Moallim - Bronze in 200 Breaststroke
- Adam Mackenzie - Gold in 200 Breaststroke, Silver in 100 Backstroke, Bronze in 200 Backstroke
- Alexander Elliot - Gold in 200 Backstroke, Silver in 200 Individual Medley, Bronze in 50 Freestyle, Bronze in 200 Freestyle
- Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe - Silver in 100 Breaststroke
- Andrew Koo - Gold in 100 Freestyle, Silver in 200 Freestyle
- Cassandra Holtby - Bronze in 400 Individual Medley
- Djordje Vlaski - Bronze in 50 Breaststroke
- Emily Schueler - Gold in 100 Backstroke, Gold in 200 Backstroke
- Frances Heather - Gold in 100 Butterfly
- Gordon Fountain - Silver in 50 Butterfly, Silver in 100 Butterfly
- Hannah Mckay - Silver in 200 Breaststroke, Bronze in 100 Breaststroke
- Holly Gojmerac - Gold in 200 Breaststroke, Gold in 200 Individual Medley, Silver in 100 Backstroke, Silver in 200 Backstroke, Silver in 100 Breaststroke
- Janessa Swanson - Silver in 50 Freestyle
- Jenny Zhang - Bronze in 200 Backstroke
- Jimmie Radyk - Gold in 200 Individual Medley
- John Fauteux - Gold in 200 Freestyle, Gold in 200 Individual Medley
- Kurtis Gray - Gold in 100 Butterfly, Gold in 200 Individual Medley, Bronze in 100 Backstroke
- Lauren Cockfield - Bronze in 200 Butterfly
- Lauren Shearer - Gold in 100 Backstroke, Gold in 200 Backstroke, Gold in 200 Individual Medley, Silver in 100 Freestyle, Silver in 800 Freestyle, Bronze in 50 Freestyle
- Leonard Zhang - Gold in 200 Freestyle, Silver in 100 Freestyle, Bronze in 200 Individual Medley
- Marcel Heather - Silver in 100 Backstroke, Silver in 100 Butterfly, Bronze in 200 Butterfly
- Matthew McCuaig - Gold in 100 Backstroke, Silver in 400 Freestyle, Bronze in 100 Freestyle, Bronze in 200 Freestyle, Bronze in 200 Backstroke
- Mckayla Meyer - Bronze in 200 Breaststroke
- Mira Coulombe - Gold in 100 Butterfly
- Mohammed Al Moallim - Gold in 50 Freestyle, Gold in 100 Backstroke, Gold in 200 Backstroke, Bronze in 100 Freestyle, Bronze in 200 Individual Medley
- Robbie Gray - Gold in 200 Backstroke
Head Coach leaving ROW
June 14, 2011
Waterloo, ON - June 14, 2011 The Board of Directors of the Region of Waterloo Swim Club has accepted the resignation of our head coach, Nandi Kormendi. Nandi will complete his contract and finish this season in August.
Nandi has been a valued coach for three years in Senior 2 and two years as our Head Coach as well as the Head Coach for the WLU team. Nandi was with us through the pool closure and successful Save the Pool Campaign. The Board would like to thank Nandi for his time with us and wish him well in his future endeavours. The coaching committee has been actively conducting interviews and an announcement will take place on Friday for our new Head Coach.
Thanks again Nandi for your time with ROW. All the best for the future.
ROW Board of Directors
A message from Nandi Kormendi, Head Coach, Region of Waterloo Swim Club
Dear ROW Swimmers and Parents,
It has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding time here at the Region of Waterloo Swim Club.
Over the past five years I have been grateful for the support given to myself and the Club by so many people in so many ways.
At this point it is time to move on to other challenges, and as such I have stepped down as Head Coach effective the end of the season.
I am proud of the accomplishments of ROW and its athletes and will watch with continued interest as the Club grows and gains in its successes.
Thank-you and good luck to all!
Yours,
Nandi Kormendi, Head Coach, ROW Swim Club/WLU Golden Hawks. 519-590-7906
Age Group International
June 06, 2011
This past weekend at Etobicoke’s AGI competition ROW swimmers climbed their way to the top of the medal podium, set a new club record and added qualifiers for the Canadian Age Group Championships.
Friday night was a great start for the club, with Margot Cunningham taking the Gold in the 50 Backstroke and Jasmine Raines winning Bronze in the 100 Breast. In addition, Holly Gojmerac qualified for her first Age Group Championships with a fast 50 Back. In the heats that morning, John Fauteux (14 years) broke his own club record in the 100 Breaststroke in a time of 1:12.14.
Saturday saw another medal come ROW’s way, with Margot taking the Gold in the 200 Backstroke this time in convincing fashion. John Fauteux continued his record-setting swims this time setting a new ROW Club record in the 50 Breast with a time of 33.78. Holly Gojmerac qualified for Provincial Championships in the 50 Free and Alexander Elliot made his Canadian Age Group Championships cut in the 200 Fly.
Sunday saw Margot Cunningham win her third medal of the meet, this time Bronze in the 100 Back.
Results:
Women:
Margot Cunningham (17): 1st 50-200 Back, 3rd 100 Back, 7th 200 Free
Tess Wey (16): 10th 100 Free, 11th 50-200 Fly
Frances Heather (16): 7th 100 Back, 10th 50 Fly
Holly Gojmerac (14): 5th 50 Back, 11th 100 Back, 14th 100 Breast, 14th 200 Back, 15th 50 Free
Jenny Zhang (14): 13th 50 Back
Jasmine Raines (13): 3rd 100 Breast, 4th 50 Breast, 8th 200 Breast
Lauren Shearer (12): 4th 100 Breast, 5th 50 Breast, 9th 200 Breast
Men:
Graeme Kemp (17): 7th 100 Back
Dean Bennett (16): 5th 100 Back, 8th 50 Fly, 9th 200 Back, 9th 100 Fly, 12th 100 Free
Alex Eliot (14): 6th 50 Back, 7th 100 Back, 6th 100 Fly, 8th 200 Fly, 13th 50 Fly
John Fauteux (14): 4th 100 Breast, 5th 200 Breast, 6th 50 Breast, 10th 50 Free, 15th 100 Free, 16th 50 Fly
Lukas Wormald (11): 8th 50 Back
Taking up the Slack Meet yields new Qualifiers for ROW
May 30, 2011
ROW's final hosted meet of the year, Taking Up the Slack, was certainly no ‘slack’ event for the Club. The meet was at capacity with swimmers from the Cobra Swim Club, Oakville, Norfolk, South West Aquatics, University of Waterloo, and St. Thomas Jumbo Jets in attendance.
Stepping up their racing to new levels from ROW and qualifying for a Championship meet: Adam Mackenzie qualified for Canadian Age Group Championships in the 100 Breast, Matthew McCuaig who made his first Ontario Provincial Championships time in the 200 IM. Qualifying for the Western Ontario Regional Championships were Emma Frey in the 50 Free, Oscar Judelson-Kelly in the 100 Fly, Robert Pavlinich in the 800 Free, Nina Galle in the 100 Breast and Sarah Patterson-Cole in the 50 Free.
Congratulations to all of them for their great racing! Coming up for ROW in June is AGI, and then Regional Championships. July features the main Championship meets of the Long Course season: Ontario Provincial Championships, Senior Nationals and then Canadian Age Group Championships.
Top 3 Results:
Men:
Ethan Stone (11) 1st 100 Free, 200 IM, 2nd 50 Fly, 3rd 50 Free, 100 Back, 100 Fly
Brad Shushack (14) 2nd 800 Free, 50 Back, 3rd 50 Free
Leonard Zhang (15) 1st 800 Free, 200 Breast, 2nd 50 Breast, 3rd 50 Free, 200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast
Braeden Redlich-Stowe (10) 1st 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Fly, 2nd 50 Free, 50 Back, 3rd 100 Free, 200 Free, 50 Fly, 200 IM
Jonathan Vanderveen (14) 2nd 200 IM, 3rd 100 Free
Lukas Wormald (11) 1st 200 Back, 400 IM, 2nd 50 Free, 50 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 3rd 200 Free
Adam McKenzie (14) 1st 50 Free, 400 Free, 2nd 1500 Free, 100 Breast, 50 Fly, 3rd 200 Free, 200 Breast
Gordon Fountain (10) 2nd 200 Free, 100 Fly, 3rd 400 Free
John Fauteux (14) 2nd 100 Free, 200 Breast, 3rd 400 Free
Andrew Koo (13) 1st 50 Fly, 2nd 50 Free, 3rd 800 Free, 50 Breast
Matthew McCuaig (13) 2nd 100 Back, 3rd 1500 Free, 200 IM
Bryan Ling (10) 2nd 100 Back, 3rd 50 Back, 200 Back
Mohammed Al Moallim (11) 3rd 50 Back, 200 Back
Nick Pflug (14) 3rd 50 Back
Guan Ting Chen (12) 3rd 100 Breast
Nikki Fauteux (10) 3rd 100 Fly
Luke Summerhayes (18) 1st 100 Back, 200 IM, 2nd 100 Free, 3rd 100 Fly
Jimmie Radyk (16) 2nd 100 Breast, 3rd 200 IM
Alec Elliot (14) 1st 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 2nd 200 Free
Dean Bennett (16) 1st 100 Fly2nd 200 Back, 200 Fly
Christian Riobo (18) 1st 200 Fly, 2nd 100 Fly
Robert Pavlinich (13) 2nd 200 Fly
Djordje Vlaski (9) 1st 200 Breast
Women:
Cassandra Holtby (14) 2nd 800 Free, 3rd 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
Frances Heather (16) 1st 50 Fly, 3rd 50 Free, 50 Back
Emily Schueler (15) 1st 50 back, 2nd 50 Free, 200 Free, 200 back, 3rd 100 free
Margot Cunningham (17) 1st 100 Free, 100 Back, 200 IM, 3rd 200 Free
Arianne Zamin (15) 1st 800 Free, 2nd 200 Fly, 3rd 400 Free
Hannah McKay (12) 1st 100 Fly, 2nd 100 Back, 3rd 100 Back, 50 Breast
Haley Lintner (13) 1st 200 Breast, 3rd 100 Back
Mckenzie Bender-Jones (10) 3rd 200 Back
Emma Wylie (13) 3rd 200 Back
Cristina Macedo (15) 2nd 800 Free, 200 Breast, 3rd 100 Breast
Nina Galle (13) 3rd 200 Breast
Stephanie Zhang (10) 1st 100 Fly, 3rd 50 Fly
Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe (13) 3rd 100 Fly
Hailey Martin (14) 3rd 200 IM, 400 IM
Jenny Zhang (14) 2nd 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly
Tess Wey (16) 1st 200 Free, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 2nd 100 Free
Lauren Shearer (12) 1st 50 Breast, 2nd 50 Back, 100 Back, 200 IM
Regan Bartlett-Green (15) 2nd 100 Back
Jasmine Raines (13) 2nd 200 Back
Felicia Nguyen (10) 2nd 50 Fly
Lauren Cockfield (13) 2nd 100 Fly
Alexis Illes (12) 1st 50 Free, 200 back
Holly Gojmerac (14) 1st 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly
Mckayla Meyer (13) 800 Free
Paige Mohaupt (17) 1st 1500 Free
Wennie Zhang (13) 1st 200 Fly
ROW at the Champs
April 19, 2011
The annual Division One Team Championships took place in Sudbury, where 16 of Ontario’s top teams sent their best 40 swimmers to compete against each other over three days of racing.
The Laurentian University pool was the home to many fine performances by Region of Waterloo Swim Club athletes during the April 15-17 competition.
Day One started with medal performances by Margot Cunningham with Silver in the 400 Free, and Graeme Kemp with a Bronze also in the 400 Free. ROW also had two new swimmers qualify for Ontario Provincial Championships with much improved swims in the 100m Fly – congrats to Stephanie Zhang (10) and Felicia Nguyen (10) for their great swims.
Day Two saw many really gritty swims in the Finals. Margot Cunningham (17) took Silver in the 100 Back after qualifying 7th, and Dean Bennett (16) won Bronze also in the 100 Back right after placing 8th in the 200 Free. Robbie Gray (16) was 3/100ths of a second shy of a medal, coming in 4th in very tightly contested race.
Star of the night for ROW was John Fauteux, who won Silver in the 50 Free and followed it up by winning the 100 Breast in a ROW Club Record time of 1:12.51.
In the 200 Free Relays, the 10 & Under Boys team was 7th (Gordon Fountain, Bryan Ling, Braeden Redlich Stowe, Nikki Fauteux), the 13-14 Boys were third (Leonard Zhang, Brad Shushack, Jon Vanderveen, John Fauteux) and the 15 & Over Boys were 5th (Luke Summerhayes, Graeme Kemp, Dean Bennett, Robbie Gray).
Day Three saw a second win by John Fauteux, again in Club Record setting fashion, this time in the 200 Breast with a time of 2:38.97. Margot Cunningham again came from 6th place after the heats to claim Bronze in the final.
In the 200 Medley Relay, we had 5/7 teams race to top 8 finishes: 10 & Under Girls were 8th (Mackenzie Bender Jones, Felicia Nguyen, Stephanie Zhang, Emma Frey), 10 & Under Boys raced to 5th (Bryan Ling, Gordon Fountain, Nikki Fauteux, Braeden Redlich Stowe), 13-14 Boys 6th (Jon Vanderveen, Kurtis Gray, Andrew Koo, John Fauteux) while the 15 & Over Boys finished 7th (Graeme Kemp, Luke Summerhayes, Dean Bennett, Robbie Gray).
After three days of exciting racing ROW finished in 10th place.
Results
17&Over
Margot Cunningham: 2nd 400 Free, 100 Back, 3rd 200 Back, 7th 200 IM, 8th 400 IM
Graeme Kemp: 3rd 400 Free, 5th 400 IM, 200 Back, 7th 100 Back
Leanne Wiese: 6th 400 Free,
Luke Summerhayes: 7th 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 8th 200 IM
15-16
Robbie Gray: 4th 50 Free, 100 Free, 7th 100 Back
Dean Bennett: 100 Fly, 3rd 100 Back, 4th 200 IM, 6th 100 Fly, 200 Back, 8th 200 Free
13-14
Kurtis Gray: 4th 100 Breast, 5th 200 Breast
John Fauteux: 1st 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 2nd 50 Free, 4th 100 Free
Jasmine Raines: 7th 100 Breast
Leonard Zhang: 8th 50 Free
Wennie Zhang: 8th 200 Fly
Andrew Koo: 8th 200 Breast
Jon Vanderveen: 8th 100 Free
11-12
Marcel Heather 4th 100 Free, 5th 100 Fly, 8th 200 Back
Lauren Shearer: 5th 100 Breast, 8th 200 Breast
10&Under
Felicia Nguyen: 6th 100 Fly, 8th 100 Free
Stephanie Zhang: 6th 100 IM
Nick Fauteux: 5th 50 Breast, 7th 50 Free, 50 Fly, 8th 100 Free
Bryan Ling: 5th 50 Back
Braeden Redlich-Stowe: 6th 50 Back, 7th 100 Free
ROW Coaches earn awards at WLU Awards Banquet
April 15, 2011
On Monday April 4, Wilfrid Laurier University had its annual Athletic Awards Banquet and two ROW Coaches were among the athletes honored for their achievement.
Bronze 2 Coach Whitney Rich earned her fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player award for her accomplishments on the Laurier Swim Team, as well as named to the OUA All-Star Team.
Brittany Shaw, who also coaches Bronze 2, won the Luke Fusco Award for Academic Achievement. This award is given to the athlete with the highest GPA in the university's varsity program.
Brittany along with Whitney were co-captains of the Women's Team for the past two years.
ROW is very proud of our coaches, who were able to maintain high performance athletics while achieving outstanding academics.
Congratulations Whitney and Brittany!
Go Hawks! Go ROW!
ROW Rules at Turbo Charge
April 7, 2011
At the inaugural Long Course meet of the season for most swimmers, ROW athletes they took the change of course in stride, winning the lion's share of medals.
The break over March didn't slow anyone down either with Emma Frey, Ethan Stone, Johanna Gross, McKenzie Bender-Jones, Stephanie Zhang and Sarah El Badawy all qualifying for their first Regional Championships.
With seven other teams attending, and a few clubs turned away, the meet full and quite competitive through the age groups. "Our meets this season have been full and we've been turning clubs away", said Head Coach Nandi Kormendi. "This shows the desireability of our meets and is a huge positive reflection on how we run our events. Our Long Course meets were full months in advance. The need for Long Course facilities to handle this demand is clear - and we are fortunate to be where we are with our facility."
Results:
Girls
Jessica Shushack (10): 1st 200 Free, 50-100 Back, 2nd 100 Fly, 3rd 200 IM
Felicia Nguyen (10): 1st 200 Breast, 2nd 50-100 Free, 3rd 50-100 back, 100 Fly
Emma Frey (10): 3rd 50-100 Free, 200 Breast
Mya Hamley (10): 2nd 200 Breast
Mckanzie Bender-Jones (10) 2nd 50 Back
Stephanie Zhang (10): 1st 100 Free, 50 Fly, 2nd 50-100 Breast, 100 Back, 3rd 200 Free
Mira Coulombe (11) 2nd 200 Fly
Hannah McKay (12): 2nd 100 Fly, 3rd 100 back, 400 Free
Alexis Illes (12): 1st 200-400 Free, 2nd 800 Free
Johanna Gross (12): 2nd 200 Breast
Janessa Swanson (12): 2nd 100 Breast, 3rd 100 Fly, 200 Free
Lauren Shearer (12): 1st 50 Breast, 3rd 50-100-800 Free, 200 IM
Mckayla Meyer (13): 1st 100-800 Free, 100 Breast, 200 Free, 50 Breast
Alexandra Redlich Stowe (13): 1st 200 Breast, 2nd 100 Breast
Wennie Zhang (13) (13): 2nd 200 Fly
Cassandra Holtby (14): 1st 50-100 Fly, 400 Free, 2nd 800 Free
Holly Gojmerac (14): 1st 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 2nd 50 Fly, 100 Free, 3rd 400 IM, 800 Free
Jenny Zhang (14): 1st 200 Back, 2nd 1500 Free, 3rd 50-200 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly
Leonard Zhang (14): 1st 200 Free, 2nd 800 Free
Cristina Macedo (15): 2nd 200 Breast, 3rd 100 Breast
Emily Schueler (15): 1st 100 back, 200 Breast, 2nd 50 Back, 3rd 50 Breast
Regan Bartlett-Green (15): 3rd 50 Free, 100 Fly, 200 IM
Sydeny Johnston (16): 2nd 50-100 Free, 3rd 400 free
Tess Wey (16): 1st 200 Free, 200 back, 200 IM, 2nd 800 Free, 50 Fly, 3rd 50 back
Frances Heather (16): 1st 50 Back, 50 Fly, 400 IM, 2nd 200 Fly, 200 IM, 3rd 200 Free
Paige Mohaupt (17): 3rd 100 back, 400 IM
Leanne Wiese (17): 2nd 100 Fly, 200 Back
Margot Cunningham (17): 1st 100-800 Free, 50-100 Breast, 2nd 200 Free, 3rd 50 Fly
Boys
Kelton Langman (8): 1st 200 Back, 2nd 100 Back, 3rd 200 IM
Djordje Vlaski (9): 1st 100-200 Breast, 200 IM, 3rd 50-100 Fly, 50 back
Gordon Fountain (10): 50-100 Fly, 100 Free, 2nd 200 Free, 3rd 50 Free
Braeden Redlich-Stowe (10): 1st 50-100 Back, 200 Free, 2nd 50 Fly
Nicholas Fauteux (10): 1st 50 free, 50 Breast, 2nd 100 Free, 100 Fly, 50 Back, 3rd 100 back, 100 Breast, 200 Free
Lukas Wormald (11): 1st 200 Back, 3rd 200 Breast
Ryan Mackenzie (11): 2nd 200 Breast
Ethan Stone (12): 2nd 50 Free, 3rd 100-200 Free, 50-100 Back, 100 Fly
Marcel Heather (12): 1st 200 Free, 2nd 400 IM, 800 Free
Kurtis Gray (13): 1st 50 Breast, 2nd 100 Breast, 400 IM, 3rd 800 Free
Adam Mackenzie (14): 1st 400 Fr, 3rd 100 Back, 200 Breast
Alec Eliot (14): 1st 50, 100 Back, 100 Fly, 2nd 50, 100 Free, 3rd 50 Fly
Bradley Shushack (14): 3rd 50 Back
Matthew McCuaig (14): 1st 200 Fly
Jonathan Vanderveen (14): 1st 100 Free, 50 Fly, 2nd 100 Fly
John Fauteux (12): 1st 100-200 Breast, 200 IM, 2nd 200-1500 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly, 3rd 50 Breast
Andrew Koo (13) 1st 400 IM, 2nd 200 IM, 50 Breast, 3rd 100 Free, 100 Breast
Robbie Gray (16): 1st 400 IM, 2nd 200 back, 1500 Free, 3rd 50 Fly
Christian Riobo (17): 3rd 200 Back
Luke Summerhayes (18): 1st 100-200 Breast, 200 Fly, 2nd 200 Fly, 200 Free
Ross Bennett (18): 1st 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly, 2nd 50 Breast
Athletic Awards Night
March 09, 2011
The City of Kitchener's Athletic Awards Night was held March 8 at Bingeman's, and ROW athletes and coaches were among those recognized for their achievements in the 2010 season.
Each year the City of Kitchener recognizes Gold Medal performances at the Provincial and National level for its affiliated teams and athletes. ROW is pleased to be a part of the festivities and proud of the accomplishments of our athletes!
Congratulations to Andrew Koo, Dean Bennett, Graeme Kemp, Robbie Gray and Kurtis Gray who were recognized for their successes last year, along with their coaches Matt Mains and Nandi Kormendi.
Also recognized were new ROW members Alexis Illes and Deanna Holt-Schmitt for their accomplishments with Synchronized swimming last year. Congratulations to them and hopefully we'll see them at the awards next year as competitive swimmers!
ROW's Brittany Shaw Wins Outstanding Women of Laurier Award
March 08, 2011
Please join me in congratulating Brittany Shaw on being named the winner of the 2011 Outstanding Women of Laurier Award.
The Outstanding Women of Laurier Award recognizes a female Laurier student who combines athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to leadership and the development of young athletes through community teaching or coaching. It further recognizes the role that Laurier female student-athletes play in furthering the profile of Laurier both on and off the the field.
Brittany Shaw is a former ROW swimmer, who is currently coaching Bronze 2 with ROW. Brittany was a finalist for the OWL Award in 2010. This year Brittany's amazing resume lifted her to the top. Brittany is a 4th year bio-chemistry and biotechnology student. She is co-captain of the WLU Golden Hawks Swim Team. This fall Brittany travelled to Egypt to compete in the World Lifesaving Championships as part of the Canadian National Lifeguard Team. In addition to coaching with ROW, Brittany is a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics, volunteers for the WLU Student Offering Support organization and with this group traveled to Nicaragua to help build a school for an underprivileged community.
Brittany is a wonderful example of what it means to be involved in sport, school and community. I am very proud of Brittany not only for her accomplishments and recognition, but of having her associated with ROW for so many years. Congratulations Britt!
ROW not only produces great swimmers, we develop great people!
Go Hawks Go! Go ROW!
Nandi Kormendi,
Head Coach,
WLU Golden Hawks
Region of Waterloo Swim Club
See also Brittany Shaw named Outstanding Woman of Laurier
Ontario Provincial Championships
March 01, 2011
The Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) successfully completed their Provincial Championship short course season in Nepean this weekend with four athletes and one relay garnering medals for their efforts. With 73 teams scoring points and over 800 athletes, it was one of the toughest fields of competition this year.
The top performance for the club came from one of its youngest competitors, Lukas Wormald, winning the gold in the 50 meter backstroke for 11 and under boys, also finaling in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes.
Three other ROW swimmers matched performances at the meet: Jonathan Vanderveen with a bronze in the 100 meter Freestyle (13 year old boys) along with 4th in 200 Free, 5th in 50 Free and 100 Fly, 6th in 100 Back; Margot Cunningham with bronze in her 100 Backstroke and two other final appearances placing 4th in the 200 Back and 6th in the 400 Individual Medley for 16-17 year old girls; Graeme Kemp with a solid third in his 200 meter IM and a near miss (fourth) in the 200 meter Back for 16-17 year old boys. The 12-13 year old boys (Andrew Koo, Marcel Heather, Brad Shushack, and Jonathan Vanderveen) picked up bronze medals in their 200 Freestyle Relay in a hotly contested final.
Also contributing to the team performance with top 8 (finals) placings in a total of 10 individual events were: Regan Bartlett-Green (15) 5th in 200 Back; Dean Bennett (16) 7th in 100 Back and 200 IM, 8th in 200 Fly and 400 IM; Robbie Gray (16) coming in 6th in the 100 Free, Andrew Koo (13) 6th in 100 Breast, 7th in 200 Breast; Mckayla Meyer (13) 5th in the 1500 Free; and Jasmine Raines (12) with 5th in the 200 Breast and 7th in the 100 Breast. The ROW 16-17 year old boys also placed in finals in both the 200 and 400 meter Freestyle relays.
CIS Champions
February 26, 2011
ROW would like to congratulate our coaches Whitney Rich and Brittany Shaw, who were recognized at the CIS Championships as graduating student-athletes. At the CIS Swimming Championships in Calgary, graduating swimmers were presented with an authentic cowboy hat during the Parade of Graduate ceremonies.
Eastern Canada Cup
February 21, 2011
Just over 450 swimmers from 60 clubs from across the Eastern provinces of Canada came together to race at the Canada Games Aquatic Center in London this past weekend. The Region of Waterloo Swim Club had 11 swimmers qualify and compete over the four-day competition.
Margot Cunningham starred for ROW, adding to her National Qualifying times the 50 Back and placing 5th in the 100 Back, 7th in the 200 Back. Graeme Kemp swam to a best time and 8th place in the 200 Back, and with his best time in the 400 IM is in contention to also qualify for Senior Nationals. Ross Bennett had 4 races and 4 best times, showing good form in the sprint events of 50-100 Free, 50 Fly and 50 Back.
Also having strong results were Frances Heather and Regan Bartlett-Green, both coming up with big drops in their best times in the 50-100m Backstroke events. Tess Wey showed good speed in the 100 Free, breaking the 1 minute barrier for her first time with a quick 59.60.
Next up are the Ontario Provincial Championships in Nepean this weekend.
Results:
Margot Cunningham (17): 5th100 Back, 7th 200 Back
Graeme Kemp (17): 8th 200 Back, 10th 400 IM
Ross Bennett (19): 9th 50 Back
ROW takes it to the podium at Western Region Championships!
February 08, 2011
Region of Waterloo Swim Club sent a large squad of 58 swimmers to Brantford to compete in the Western Region Championships this past weekend, and the team came away with an equally large number of Best Times, Medals, and Ribbons. Along the way two swimmers also qualified for Ontario Junior Provincials – congratulations to Mira Coulombe whose strong 200 Fly made the cut, and to Jimmie Radyk who came up big in the 200 Breast to go comfortably under the standard as well.
What really stood out for the coaches was how tough the swimmers were in Finals. Some of the swimmers turned mediocre heat swims into gutsy races leading to best time and medals; others doubled up on great heat swims and found ways to go even faster with great results as well. “The desire to race well was never more evident than when our kids swim at Championships – whether it be the Time Final races for the younger ones or the Finals at night for our older swimmers – they go for it every time” said ROW Head Coach Nandi Kormendi. “It’s always exciting to watch these young athletes at these meets – so much improvement and always a surprise breakthrough to add to the thrill of the meet”.
Next up for ROW swimmers is Eastern Canada Cup in London where we have 11 of our top swimmers competing. Immediately after is the Ontario Junior Provincial Championships in Nepean. Good luck to all!
TOP 3 Results:
16 Years - Jimmie Radyk - 200 Breaststroke - Bronze, 200 Individual Medley - Gold
15 Years - Emily Schueler - 100 Backstroke - Silver
14 Years - Adam Mackenzie - 200 Breaststroke - Silver
14 Years - Alexander Elliot - 100 Backstroke - Gold
14 Years - Leonard Zhang - 200 Freestyle - Gold
14 Years - John Fauteux - 100 Breaststroke - Gold, 200 Individual Medley - Bronze, 50 Freestyle - Gold
13 Years - Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe - 100 Breaststroke - Gold, 200 Breaststroke - Silver
13 Years - Andrew Koo - 100 Freestyle - Bronze 400 Individual Medley - Silver
13 Years - Bradley Shushack - 100 Breaststroke - Silver, 100 Butterfly - Silver, 200 Butterfly - Gold
13 Years - Matthew McCuaig - 100 Butterfly - Bronze
13 Years - Mckayla Meyer - 400 Freestyle - Silver, 400 Individual Medley - Bronze
13 Years - Jenny Zhang - 100 Freestyle - Bronze, 50 Freestyle - Gold
12 Years - Jasmine Raines - 50 Freestyle - Silver
12 Years - Marcel Heather - 100 Freestyle - Silver, 400 Freestyle - Silver, 50 Freestyle - Gold
12 Years - Lauren Shearer - 100 Breaststroke - Gold, 200 Breaststroke - Silver
11 Years - Lukas Wormald - 100 Butterfly - Gold, 200 Butterfly - Silver, 200 Individual Medley - Bronze, 400 Freestyle - Bronze, 50 Freestyle - Bronze
11 Years - Mira Coulombe - 100 Butterfly - Bronze, 200 Butterfly - Gold
11 Years - Mohammed Al Moallim - 100 Backstroke - Bronze
10 Years - Jessica Shushack - 200 Backstroke - Silver
10 Years - Kelly Rombough - 100 Breaststroke - Bronze
9 Years - Nicholas Fauteux - 50 Butterfly - Bronze
Ontario Cup – a great weekend of racing!
January 27, 2011
Ontario Cup was held at the University of Toronto pool January 21-23, 2011. This senior meet was well attended by university teams and clubs alike, and as part of the forward-look towards Olympic Trials next year was held in a Long Course setting. One of the most exciting races of the meet was the facing off between Tobias Oriwol (Beijing Olympian in 200 Backstroke) against Matt Hawes (current Canadian Record holder in the 200 Backstroke). Tobias was out first and fast at the halfway mark, but was caught and passed on the back end of the race by a hard charging Hawes.
ROW's Robbie Gray had the chance to race beside Olympian Joe Bartoch in the 100 Free. Robbie hung with Joe all the way, but Joe's experience and speed was too much for Robbie who touched just behind Bartoch with a good swim of 55.59. Bartoch swam the Freestyle race doing Butterfly!
Men's Results:
Graeme Kemp 6th – 400 IM, 9th – 200 Back, 10th – 200 IM
Luke Summerhayes 9th – 200 IM, 13th – 50 Breast
Ross Bennett 14th – 50 Back
200 Medley Relay – 4th (Dean Bennett, Luke Summerhayes, Ross Bennett, Robbie Gray)
200 Free Relay – 5th (Ross Bennett, Dean Bennett, Luke Summerhayes, Robbie Gray)
Women's Results
Margot Cunningham 4th – 200 Back, 5th – 100 Back, 15th – 200 IM
Leanne Wiese 10th – 200 Breast, 12th – 100 Breast
Tess Wey – 15th 50 Free
ROW Winter Invitational
January 27, 2011
Our Region of Waterloo Swim Club competed at home against four other teams from Ontario’s Central and Western Regions on the weekend and ended up more than doubling the total team scores on the competition. In the 10 & under age group our youngest competitors had a great day.
Ayshia Bailie placed second in the 50 breaststroke. Braeden Redlich-Stowe scored 5 firsts in the 50/100/200 free, 50/100 back, silver in 100 fly and 200 IM, and a 3rd in the 50 fly. Bryan Ling went gold in the 50 fly, silver in the 50/100 back, and bronze in his 50 free. Djordje Vlaski garnered silvers in the 50/100 breaststroke and bronze in the 200 free. Emma Frey picked up thirds in the 50’s free and back. Felicia Nguyen silvered in her 200’s back and breast, going 3rd in the 100 fly. Gord Fountain was bronzed in two – his 100 breast and 200 IM. Jessica Shushack was golden in the 50 free and 100 breast, silvered in the 100 fly and 200’s free and IM. Kelly Rombough mined gold in two – her 400 free and 50 breaststroke, was second in the 50 fly, and picked up bronze in her breaststroke (100/200). Megan Parrott silvered in the 100 back and picked up thirds in three – her 100/200 frees and the 200 IM. Mya Hamley garnered a solid 3rd in the 50 breast. Nick Fauteux broke his back carrying away his treats with 4 gold in the 50 breast, 100’s breast and fly and the 200 IM; three seconds in the 50’s free and fly and the 100 free; and two bronze in the 50/100 backs. Stephanie Zhang attained the top of the podium in the 50’s back and fly and silvered in the 50 freestyle.
The 11 year olds were no weaker.
Lukas Wormald was the best of the bunch with seven first place finishes: 50/400/800 freestyles, 100 back, 100/200 fly, and the first 400 IM of his season. Lauren Shearer carried away gold in six: 200/800 free, 100/200 back, 100 breast and 400 IM; with a silver in her first 200 fly. Ryan Mackenzie was first in the 50’s breast and fly, silver in his 50/100 free/100 and 200 back/100 breast, and was bronzed in the 100 fly. Mira Coulombe arrived at the finish line first in the 200 fly, performed a quad for the first time with silvers in 200 and 800 free/100 back and 400IM and rounded out with bronze in the 200 back. Breanna Karst went one two in the 50’s back and breast, respectively. Mohammed Al Moallim won the 50 back and took home a bronze in the 50 free. Madison Mckenzie walked away with gold in 50 free. Aidan Elliot silvered in the 50’s back and fly, and picked up bronze in his 200 backstroke. Mya Verhoeve and Nasar Shakir went silver/bronze in the 50’s back/fly and 50’s breast/back respectively. Shannon Kwan was second in her 50 fly. Picking up thirds in their best events were Hannah Judelson-Kelly (200 breast), Isabel Spears (100 breast), and Ryan Rusaw (50 breast).
Top 12 year old was Marcel Heather who amassed seven medals, six gold (800 free, 100/200 back, 100/200 fly, 400 IM) and silver in the 100 breast. Ethan Stone mined gold in three (50 each fly/back and 200 IM), silver in 50/100 free, bronze in his 100’s back/breast/fly. Jasmine Raines was golden in three (800 free, 50/100 breast). Hannah Mckay was first in the 200 fly, second in 50free, 100 breast/fly, and third in her 100 back. Alexis Illes went one each in the sprint 50’s – gold in fly, silver in back, bronze in free. Isaac Fountain silvered in 2 (200 breast/IM) and picked up thirds in 2 (50’s free/back). Johanna Gross silvered in the 50 breast and was bronzed in the 50 back. Ahmed Taky Eldin was 2nd in his 50 breast and 3rd in the 50 fly and 200 free. Janessa Swanson was 2nd in her 200 fly and 800 free. Rounding out this age category was Haley Lintner with four bronze (100/200/800 free, 200 fly).
Of 13 year olds we have plenty - accompanied by plenty of medal placings. Top point gainer was Mckayla Meyer with 6 first place finishes – 100/200/400/1500 free, 100 breast and 400 IM. The 1500 qualified Mckayla for both Provincial and National AG Champs. In her fun events, the novelty 50’s back and fly she was second and third respectively. Jenny Zhang accumulated 10 medals for her obviously fine efforts. Golds for 50/100/200 back; silver in four (50’s free/breast/fly and 400IM) and bronze in three (100’s breast/fly and 200 fly).Jonathan Vanderveen sprinted to wins in the 50 free and 50 fly, was 2nd in 100/800 free, 100 free and 200IM; and 3rd in 200 free and 400IM. Wennie Zhang gilded the 100/200 fly and bronzed in the 800 free, 100 back and 400IM. Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe was golden in the 50 breast and silver in the 100 breast. Andrew Koo placed 2nd in the 200 fly and amassed 3 bronze in 50/100 breast and 100 fly. Kurtis Gray picked up two: a silver and bronze in the 100 breast and 50 free respectively. The 100 breast was a provincial cut. Tied with a silver each were Brad Shushack (200 back), Emma Wylie (100 back) and Lauren Cockfield (200 fly).Nina Galle was third in the 200 fly.
Fourteen year olds did their share in the team victory.
Holly Gojmerac reeled in six big ones (50/100 free, 50’s back and breast, and 100 breast and 200IM). Following were three seconds in 200 free, 50/100 fly. Cassandra Holtby went quadruple gold with victories in 200 free, 50/100/200 fly. Quintuple silvers were recorded in the 50’s free, back, breast, 200/400IM’s. John Fauteux reaped gold in the 50’s breast and fly and 200IM, silver in his 50 back, and triple bronze in 50 free, 200 back and 400IM. Alec Elliot was golden in 50 back and 100 fly; triple silver in 100 back and 50/200 fly and managed a bronze in his 800 free. Adam Mackenzie doubled with firsts in 800 free and 100 breast; picked up a second in 400 free, and again doubled bronze in 100/200 free. Hailey Martin won the 800 free, garnered silvers in 100’s free/breast and 200 back, and a third place in the 200 free. Leonard Zhang won his gold in the 200 free, two silvers in 50/100 free and was third in the 50 breast. Arianne Zamin ordered up a double-double with silver in 200 fly and 800 free and bronze in 100 free and 400IM.
While many of ROW’s 15 and Overs competed at Ontario Cup in Toronto the same weekend, those that stayed to race at home also contributed their share of points toward the ROW effort. Cristina Macedo was second in the 200 breast and bronze in the 200 fly. Emily Schueler won her 50 back, and was bronzed three times in 50/100 free and 50 fly. Kayleigh Swanson picked up a 2nd and 3rd in 50 breast and 50 back respectively. Paige Mohaupt won her 800 free and silvered in the 200 fly. Sydney Johnston triple silvered in 50/100 free and 50 fly. Laura Bartlett picked up her bronze in the 50 breast.
It was a fun meet. Next up more serious competition at Regionals in Brantford, February 4-6th.
Etobicoke A/B Meet Results
January 21, 2011
On the January 14 – 16 weekend, ROW participated down the road, through blizzard-like conditions, in Etobicoke in a two-tiered competition for our most advanced swimmers. In attendance were teams from across Ontario with many of their top age groupers racing for gold.
At the B level, top point achiever for ROW was Adam MacKenzie (14) who walked away with 6 medals, all representing enormous improvements. His four firsts (100/200 breast, 50/200 free) and two seconds (100 free and back) moved Adam within touching distance of Provincials for the first time.
Sydney Johnston (16) mined double silver in two of her sprint free swims (100/200 free).
Abdulaziz Al Moallim (13) garnered silver in his 200 breastroke event. Alyxandra Redlich-Stowe (13) was right on top of her bests in winning bronze in her 100/200 breaststrokes. And Jacqui Tutssel (14) went bronze in the 50 breast.
The A Team did very well as well.
Tops was Jonathan Vanderveen (13) with seven medals in all – three gold (50/100 free, 100 fly) and four silver (50 fly, 100 back, 50 breast, 200 free). The 100 back qualified Jon for this summer’s AG Nationals. Following closely in medal totals was eleven year old Lukas Wormald with firsts in 50/100/200 backstrokes and bronze in 100/200 fly.
Jasmine Raines (12) continued her torrid pace of improvement with wins in the 50/100 breaststrokes and a solid silver in the 200 of the same stroke. Lauren Shearer (11) and Andrew Koo (13) were tied in productivity with one gold, two each silver and bronze. Lauren’s gold came in her best stroke, the 50 breast; Andrew’s at the opposite end of the continuum in the 200 breast. Silver for Lauren came in the 100 back and 200 breast; her thirds, in the 200 back and 100 breast. Andrew placed second in the 100’s breast and fly, third in 50 breast and 200 fly. Cassandra Holtby was ROW’s final gold medalist, taking the gold in her specialty – the 50 fly; and added a bronze in the 100 fly.
Doubling up in silvers were Holly Gojmerac and John Fauteux, both fourteen. Holly claimed hers in the 50/100 back, while John’s came in the 50’s breast and back.
With silver and a bronze Alec Elliot (14) had solid performances in his 50 and 100 fly respectively. Mckayla Meyer(13) garnered bronze with a 16 second improvement in the 800 free and a medal of the same hue in the 200 IM.
Rounding out our club’s medalist performances were gold from Margot Cunningham in the 100 Back, and single bronze for Jenny and Wennie Zhang, both thirteen. They came in the 50 back for Jen and the 100 fly for Wennie. Next on tap, Regionals in Brantford.
London 12 & Under Celebration
January 13, 2011
The Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) has been an active member in the community for decades, and it is this club that instills in our youth the practice of a healthy lifestyle, life-long friendships, and a competitive attitude. These life skills are instilled in their swimmers through hard work, and training. This past weekend, ROW had the distinct pleasure of participating in the 12 and Under Celebration held in London.
ROW had some outstanding swims, and ruled the pool, leaving the meet with over 100 best times, 9 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals. In total, ROW had over 80 top-ten finishes.
Highlights of the meet included Felicia Nguyen receiving the gold in the 200 IM and dropping a grand total of 30 seconds. Felicia also went on to receive the gold in the 100 breaststroke and the silver in the 50 freestyle. Nine-year-old Nicholas Fauteux took home 5 gold medals, and 1 silver, earning himself 5 new best times. Other meet highlights include Megan Parrott and Ryan Mackenzie dropping a combined total of 35 seconds in the 200 IM. Ryan also received the silver medal in the 50 free after dropping 2 seconds off his previous time.
From our Bronze 1 group, we also had some outstanding performances. Aidan Elliot earned gold medals in the 50 backstroke with a time of 44.08, and Gordon Fountain earned gold in the 100 fly, and silver in the 100 free, while Guang Chen took silver in the 50 breast. For our Bronze 1 girls, Sarah Shearer took 16 seconds off of her previous best 200 IM and Kathryn Pflug took 8 seconds off her previous 100 back time. In the 10-year-old girls 100 free, Mckenzie Bender-Jones dropped an impressive 13 seconds off her previous best time.
ROW is thrilled with the results of the 12 and Under Celebration, and looks forward to seeing more best times in the future. Special congratulations to Alexis Illes, Felicia Nguyen, Megan Parrot, Jessica Shushack, Sabrina Hombach, and Ryan Mackenzie who qualified to compete at the Western Ontario Regional Championships.
