Thunderbirds Hand Out Awards

Thunderbirds award winners. Back row: (Left to right)Coaches Penny Lecour & Christine Lafromboise, Dylan Jackson, Emma Hives, Mackenzie King, Coach Pierre Simard and Jaime Udeschini.
Middle Row: (L to R) Coach Debbie Boucher, Andrew Palangio, Sierra McCourt, Gabriel Brind Amour Riffou, Monika Hotson and Josh Brost.
Front Row: (L to R) Jaydan Jackson, Zeyana Laplante and Talia Preston. Photo submitted.

On Wednesday evening the Thunderbird Swim Club hosted their annual swim banquet at the Club 100. Many awards were presented throughout the evening with Sierra McCourt and Dylan Jackson coming away with the Top Female and Male Competitive Swimmers of the Year while Jaydan Jackson was the winner of the Top Fina High Points Trophy having the highest amount of points throughout the swim season.

Four swimmers received the Most Improved Trophies for the their respective categories and they were Sean Cazabon in the Rookie category, Christa Wright in the bronze, Monika Hotson in the Silver and Jaydan Jackson in the Gold. The Tom Palangio Memorial Top 1st year Swimmer award went to Joshua Brost, Swim-a-thon award went to Andrew Palangio, the Jeniphar Duguay Trophy was presented to Emma Hives the person who emilates the most team spirit throughout the swim season and the Dry Land Trophy went to Mackenzie King.

The prestigious Coaches Award which is given to the swimmer/swimmers who show constant dedication and is able to listen to instruction during practice was once again presented to Sierra McCourt as well to up and coming swimmer, Gabriel Brind Amour Riffou. The Top Swimmers in different age categories were next on the agenda for presentation and they were, 10 & under Talia Preston and Zeyana Laplante, 11 & 12 was Jesse Hives, 13 & 14 was Jaime Udeschini and 15 & over to Mackenzie King .

A new award was presented on this night entitled The Paula Palangio Memorial Award in memory of her for her commitment to swimming and it was given to Club President, Greg King. As well in Paula’s honour the North Eastern Ontario Region executive granted the club to renaming the NEOR #2 developmental swim meet which is held in North Bay each November to the Paula Palangio Memorial Meet. Ending the evening was the presentation of the Provincial Achievers which were Jesse Hives, Jaime Udeschini, Sierra McCourt, Mackenzie King and Jaydan & Dylan Jackson.