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DSSC Well Represented at Ontario Age Group Championships

The Waterloo Synchro Club was this year’s host for the annual Ontario Open Age Group Championships (OOAGC) 2010 held at the Etobicoke Olympium on May 27-30, 2010. The stands were filled with various spectators draped in the colours of the clubs they were supporting. Clubs from as far away as Alberta were present for this competition that was
a final testament to another year’s worth of training in the competitive programs. Coaches Michele Lopers (10 & Under team), Kirsten Femson (11-12 Years) and Sarah Rowe
(13-15 Years) gave stern and thoughtful advice from the deck as they watched their young swimmers push themselves to perform to their best potential. DSSC was represented by the members from the 10 & Under, 11-12 Years and 13-15 Years provincial teams. The club’s pink bathing caps stood out amongst the sea of blue and black caps,  however, that didn’t seem to prevent some near collisions during practice times.

During the Figures segment of this competition, the DSC swimmers fought hard against competitors who have been formidable opponents, however, when swimmers are waiting for their turn at the next figure station wearing the generic black swimsuit and white bathing cap, everyone is an equal. The following members from DSC held their own in the standings and had many moments of personal bests - Caitlin Schropp (18), Karissa Schippers (24), Meagan Caulfied (25), Nicole Milligan (27), McKenzie Broad (30), Rhiannon Major (37), Samantha Low (39), Kathleen Fung (42), Alicia Lopers (50), Andrea Beekman (53), Stephanie Dalgleish (53), Nicole Rayment (54), Victoria Wight (66), Kayla Lowe (67), Madelyn Minaret (73), Elizabeth Kozak (77), Madeleine Schropp (81), Genevieve Thorton (87), Nicole Weisemberg (96), Brooke Evans (101) and Nieve Iannarelli (136).

The Team Finals meet was an exciting time during the competition. The air crackled with nervous energy as the teams waited for their turn in the pool to impress the judges. The three provincial teams all placed within the top ten – 10 & Under (6), 11-12 Years (9) and
13-15 Years (6). Durham Synchro scored 10 points in the Total Club Aggregate Points category.

The OOAGC proved to be a test for DSC and this challenge was met head on. Scoring personal bests in individual figures and achieving some amazing moments during the team prelims and finals demonstrated the perseverance of these athletes. The final leader board totals don’t always reflect everything that happened during the meet. Scores from the smaller segments within the competition were just as valuable and demonstrated how much each swimmer had grown and positively directed a swimmer to areas where there is growth still to come. Overall, the swimmers from DSC showed great inner strength, superb team work and a wonderful sense of support for their fellow team mates and other swimmers. A leader board can’t measure these qualities!