The Elliot Lake Aquatic Club (ELAC) hosted the NEOR#3 Developmental meet this weekend.
The event saw 31 local swimmers combine with 56 members from the Sault Surge, Valley East, Nickel City and Sudbury Laurentian Swim clubs. In all, 87 swimmers took to the water at the Ruben Yli-Juuti Centre for the two-day meet. Many personal bests were established.
For some of the ELAC swimmers, having the home-pool advantage allowed them to overcome first-meet jitters.
Club member Ethan Young used the pool to his advantage, earning top spot in many of his swims, including a 400-metre freestyle, shaving 45 seconds off his personal best. He also finished his 50-metre freestyle in 38.17 seconds. Young also finished in top spot with a first place in the 200-metre freestyle swim in 3:11.64.
Leiya Fortin earned second place for her 100-metre breaststroke and freestyle events. Her efforts in the 200-metre breaststroke earned her top spot with a time of 3:28.09.
Theo Parsons also swam to full potential, finishing first in his 200-metre breaststroke and 100-metre individual medley and, with the tight competition, second in his 100-metre breaststroke and 50-metre freestyle events.
Mckenzie Ryan used her skills and speed to earn top spot in each of her 400-metre freestyle, 50-metre butterfly, 200-metre freestyle and 200-metre butterfly events.
Similarly, Tie Ryan proved his skills were worthy of a podium. He earned first- and second-place finishes all weekend. He finished first in the 100-metre breaststroke, shaving 10.39 seconds from his previous best. He also earned top spot in the 50- and 200-metre breaststroke events. He placed second in his 50- and 100-metre freestyle swims.
Avery Stirling swam strong in both of her backstroke events, finishing first in the 50- and 200-metre lengths. Stirling’s 100-metre backstroke was outmatched by fellow ELAC member Emma Young, leaving her in second place.
Home-pool colours meant, for many, competitive finishes.
Madison Yorke was consistent throughout the weekend, finishing third in her 200-metre backstroke and 50-metre freestyle events. Her efforts in the 200-metre individual medley, 50-metre backstroke and 400-metre freestyle earned her second-place finishes.
Ava Young certainly harnessed the home-pool advantage, seeing top honors in each of her events. Swimming each discipline didn’t seem to alter her skills as she earned first in her 50-metre butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke, 200-metre butterfly and 400-metre freestyle swims. She’s a swimmer to be reckoned with in the northeastern region.
Another swimmer who showcased her skills this weekend was Emma Young with first-place finishes in butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. She proved she was the swimmer to beat. From the 50-metre butterfly to the 800-metre freestyle, she was determined to finish first.
Alongside the local swimmers were the spectators and families with cameras and stopwatches in hand. They were joined behind the scenes by as many as 60 volunteers who helped ensure the meet was a success. The coaches are also credited for the performance of the ELAC swimmers.
ELAC is the longest active swim club in the region, now in its 42nd season.
— With files from Shawn Beaulieu