Four SSMAC swimmers bring home medals

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE AQUATIC CLUB

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Lee, Day, Critchley and Murray Win Medals For SSMAC

The Sault Ste. Marie Aquatic Club sent a team of 30 swimmers to Sudbury over the weekend to compete in the Division 2 Team Championships hosted by the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club.

Numerous swimmers produced personal best swims, racing athletes from around the Province. Fourteen-year old Brian Lee returned home with four gold medals (50-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle, 200-metre backstroke and the 200-metre individual medley). Lee clocked a time of 59.94 seconds in the 100-metre freestyle.

Becky Day, age 14 won gold in the 200-metre freestyle and placed second in the 400-metre and 800-metre freestyle events. Day shaved seven seconds off her previous time in the 800-metre freestyle finishing with a best time of 9.42.79. Day had a third in the 100-metre butterfly.

Hannah Murray, competing in the girls' 11 and 12 age category, won a bronze medal in the 50-metre freestyle with a time of 30.74. Murray secured Provincial qualifying times in five events.

Ten year old Kalen Critchley garnered a bronze medal in the 50-metre backstroke with a time of 40.84. Critchley placed fourth in the 50-metre and the 100-metre freestyle events.

Additional athletes to finish in the top eight in their respective races include: Michael and Josh Lawrence; Steven and Erin Lee; Andrew Dipsell and Tyler Smith.

Overall in the team competition SSMAC finished in 17th place.

Coach Nancy was very pleased with the results and particularly happy with the team spirit and camaraderie. "It is amazing how the swimmers have formed friendships not only within their team, but with swimmers from other clubs", states Day.

SSMAC is very excited to announce that former SSMAC swimmer Andrew Bignell has joined the coaching staff. Andrew was a member of SSMAC for over a decade and continues to hold several Canadian records. Coach Nancy states that the club is extremely lucky to have Andrew, and that the kids are really responding to him.

SSMAC's next major competition is the East Side Mario's Invitational in May in Sudbury.

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