T-Birds ranked 2nd in Northeastern Ontario

(North Bay)- Nineteen swimmers from the Thunderbirds Swim Club attended the NEOR Huronia Long Course A Championship held June 9th to 11th in Sudbury. The meet proved to be a fantastic way for the T-Birds to end their season as they placed second overall in Northeastern Ontario and fourth overall in the NEOR and Huronia regions. The T-Birds finished with 392 points, only 116 points behind the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club. On average, the T-Birds finished with the highest number of points per swimmer in Northeastern Ontario and second out of all the 20 swim clubs in attendance.

“We are very proud of our club. This meet was a very positive way to end the season. All the swimmers recognized the results of their hard work and dedication to the sport. Every one of them should be proud of what they have accomplished this season,” says Pierre Simard, head coach of the Thunderbirds Swim Club.

Several Thunderbirds achieved numerous personal best times. Gregory Katsuno created the most waves with personal best times in all of his races. Following close behind Katsuno achieving personal bests in every race but one included Jane Ferguson, Sierra Guido, Sierra McCourt, Bryanna Penno, and Taylor Russell. Constance Leavitt also finished with 5 personal bests. Sydney Hughes achieved 4 personal best times. Kylie Weber, Jayden Jackson, Megan Menard, Jesse Hives, Andrew Palangio, Jaime Lee Udeschini, and Megan Hives swam away with 3 personal best times. Dylan Jackson and Antoinette Busch proudly finished the meet with 2 personal best times.

Eight new team records were set. Hives (Jesse) set three team records in the 100m Fly, 100m Back, and 100m Free. Palangio also set 3 team records in the 50m Free, 200m Fly, and 400m IM. Jennifer Piper set a new Thunderbird record in the 400m Free and Menard, McCourt, Ferguson, and Udeschini set a new team relay record in the 200m IM.

First place finishers included Penno (200m Fly, 100m Breast, 400m IM), McCourt (100m Fly, 100m Free), Hives (Jesse) (100m Back), and Emma Hives (200m Back).

Second place finishes went to Ferguson (100m Free), Hives (Jesse) (200 IM, 100m Free, 200m Back), Katsuno (400m IM), Leavitt (200m Back), McCourt (200m IM, 100m Breast, 200m Fly), Penno (200m IM), and Udeschini (800m Free).

Third place medals went to Ferguson (200m Fly), Hives (Jesse) (100m Fly, 100m Breast), McCourt (200m Breast), Palangio (200m Fly), and Udeschini (200m Free, 400m Free).

In relays, Menard, McCourt, Ferguson, and Udeschini placed first in the 200m Free and second in the 200m Medley. Jackson (Jayden), Hives (Jesse), Hives (Megan) and Russell placed fourth in the 200m Medley and fifth in the 200m Free. Second place went to Leavitt, McCourt, Penno, and Hives (Emma) in the 200m Free and third in the 200m Medley. Piper, Penno, Busch, and Hives placed 6th in the 200m Medley.

“Our team showed great talent and humility in their success at this meet, as well as throughout the year. As coaches we couldn’t ask for more,” said Simard.

Submitted to BayToday.ca