T-Birds swim strong in Sudbury

The North Bay Thunderbirds sent 21 swimmers to Sudbury to compete in the Dave Kensit Memorial Championships last weekend. There were 15 teams from the Northeastern Ontario area competing in this meet which required regional “A” level qualifying times in order to participate. The Thunderbirds placed third overall behind Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie and second behind Sudbury in the Senior Open championship.

The Club came home with 22 gold, 24 silver and 19 bronze medals. Josh Brost won the high points trophy in the boys 12-13 category and Jaydan Jackson won the high points trophy in both the girls 13-14 and Open category. Jesse Hives (13), Zeyana Laplante (10) & Sierra McCourt (15) placed top three in total points for their age group.

Josh Brost, Sierra McCourt, Dylan and Jaydan Jackson as well as the relay team consisting of Jaydan Jackson, Jesse Hives, Sierra McCourt & Jamie Lee Udeschini broke seven club records collectively.

Individual medalists were Jaydan Jackson 13 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze; Josh Brost 5 gold medals & 3 silver; Jesse Hives 1 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze; Sierra McCourt a gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze; Dylan Jackson 2 silver, 2 bronze; Zaffia Laplante 2 bronze; Zeyana Laplante 5 silver, 1 bronze; Emma Hives 1 bronze; Sean Pulyk 1 bronze.

Top eight finishes went to Greg Katsuno, Gabriel Brind’Amour Riffou, Elle Louise George, James Gibb, Talia Preston, Jamie Reynolds, Tessa Steel, Jamie Lee Udeschini and personal best times were achieved by Megan Hives, Monika Hotson, Kylie Webster and Madison Whittet.

On January 31st, the younger swimmers 11 and under attended Top Fish in Valley East where they all posted top eight finishes with many personal best times. Travis & Sarah Allured won a first each, Jacob Brost & Elle Louise George won 2 firsts and Jenna Manning won 2 seconds.

Four swimmers Jesse Hives, Jaydan Jackson, Sierra McCourt and Jamie Lee Udeschini are heading off to Gatineau, QC for the Eastern National Championships taking place February 18th to 21st.

During March, the team will train hard for the Team II Championship to be held in Brantford in the middle of April.

Submitted to BayToday.ca