T-Birds in Calgary

Thunderbird swim club poses for a team photo in Calgary. From left to right (front row) Jesse Hives, Jane Ferguson, Kylie Weber and Sierra McCourt. Back row (left to right) Mackenzie King, Coach Pierre Simard and Jaydan Jackson. Photo submitted.

Six Thunderbird swimmers participated at the Age Group National meet held in Calgary, Alberta July 24th to 27th. This meet hosts the best age group swimmers from across the country. It was the first time for all six with 1150 participants at this competition.

Two swimmers, Jaydan Jackson and Kylie Weber qualilfied for finals in the 200 backstroke in the girls 13 year old category. Both swam to personal bests in the preliminary event with Jackson breaking the club record. Going into the final that night both Jackson and Weber were ranked 6th & 7th. Jackson swam to another personal best again setting a new club record and placing 6th and Weber 8th overall. Jackson had 2 more top 20 finishes. Weber finished the meet with a 10th, 12th, 14th & 17th place finish. Weber will continue her swimming career in Nova Scotia.

Jesse Hives competed in the 12 & under category attaining 2 top 10 placings, a 12th & an 18th. Jane Ferguson and Sierra McCourt both competed in the girls 14 year old category with Ferguson achieving one top 20th placing and McCourt achieving an 18th & 19th placing. Mackenzie King competed in the boys 14 year old category achieving three personal best and a 15th and 19th placings.

The swimmers will take a much needed break for a few days then 4 of the T-Birds, Jaime Udeschini, Mackenzie King, Jaydan Jackson & Sierra McCourt will continue their training in preparation for the Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa from Aug 13th to 16th.

Submitted to BayToday.ca