SSMAC grabs short course regional title

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE AQUATIC CLUB

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SSMAC WINS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

High point trophy wins by Jeff Byrne, Josh Lawrence and Sarah Theodossiou powered the Sault Ste. Marie Aquatic Club to a first place finish in the Dave Kensit Memorial Championship over the weekend at the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool.

The event brought together the top swimmers from 13 teams for the short course season regional championship.

SSMAC finished ahead of the Timmins Marlins, with Sudbury Laurentian placing third.

Over 200 swimmers from the region were entered in the three-day event – the highest level championship meet in the region.

Byrne finished atop the standings in the boys' 16 and over age group, while Lawrence was the top swimmer in the boys' 12-13 age range. Sarah Theodossiou (girls' 11-12) tied for first place with Timmin's swimmer, Whitney Jardine.

Other top performers for SSMAC included Brian Lee (12), with one first and four second place finishes, and Steven Lee (10), with three second place finishes. Carrie-Lynn Smale (10), earned second spot in one race and third in two others, while Christopher Carlyle (10), earned a gold, silver and bronze medal.

Also during the meet SSMAC members Wendy Oleskiw (14), Becky Day (13), Sarah Theodossiou (12), and Hannah Murray (10), secured qualifying times to compete in the Ontario Short Course Junior Provincials in London, Feb 23-26.

The Dave Kensit Memorial Championships was coupled with the Dave Kensit Senior Championship, which featured competition for the top 16 swimmers in each event aged 13 and up on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

SSMAC finished fourth overall in this competition. Jeff Byrne won the boys' high point trophy in the event, while Dominique Bouchard from the North Bay Titans secured top spot for the girls.

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