(Provided, Janet Hyslop)
The Kenora Swimming Sharks have been busy in recent weeks, with members competing in three different swim meets in back-to-back weekends.
Last weekend (weekend of February 8-9), several ‘mini Sharks’ were in Selkirk and not only did Kenora proud but put the club on the map. Josh Benson, who is nine-years-old, was a first-time junior provincial qualifier at the meet. Claire Hammett finished second in the 25 fly, Kaya Limerick finished first in the 25 breast stroke while Gavin Kyle was first in the 25 freestyle and second in the 25 breast stroke.
At the same time, Emilia Mastromatteo was just down the road taking part in the Winnipeg Grand Prix. Mastromatteo won gold in the 100 and 200 breast stroke, just missing the qualifying time for the Olympic Trials. She also took home silver in the 100 back stroke and bronze in the 200 back stroke.
The Swimming Sharks weren’t just in Manitoba, though, as Gabe Mastromatteo was in a meet down in Orland, Florida. Gabe came away from that meet wtih a silver in the 100 breast stroke and a bronze in the 200 breast stroke.
As busy as the club was last weekend, they were also busy this past weekend (weekend of February 15-16) at the Manitoba Junior Provincial Championships.
Seven Sharks swam at that meet, including first-time qualifiers Matthew Debbo, Josh Benson and Nikolas Hirstov.
At the championships, Emily Dawe took home silver in the 50 back stroke and bronze in the 50 freestyle, while Gavin Kyle took home silver in the 50 freestyle.
There’s still a lot more to come from the entire club, as they get ready for not on the Ontario Provincial Championships but also the ManSask Provincial Championship.
