Parent shows promise at Canadian Open

The extra rest must have done Alex Parent some good.
After a competitive year that featured many lengthy road trips by car, the 14-year-old Fort Frances Aquanaut took the aerial route to Edmonton for last week’s Canadian Open for SWAD (Swimmers With A Disability) long-course national championships.
“It sure lessened the fatigue factor,” said Parent about his quicker mode of transportation, which helped him have the energy to set an Ontario record in the 200m freestyle (2:23.13) during his fifth-place finish in the event final.
“There was a lot more time to rest when I got there.”
Parent had to go stroke for stroke with swimmers from various age groups in Edmonton—some much older than him.
His recent appearance with Team Canada at last month’s DSE National Open disabled swimming championships in Sheffield, England helped in that regard.
“I was really motivated off of how I performed in England in the same situation,” said Parent. “Competing against older swimmers pushes me to try harder to keep up and to try and beat them.”
Along with his provincial record, Parent also set three personal bests while qualifying for two event finals.
“I was surprised I got into two finals,” he remarked. “It’s good experience for me to make finals at this level.
“I always try and shoot for personal bests, but to get more best times so soon after getting back from England is pretty good.”
Here are Parent’s results from the meet (* denotes personal best):
•200m free (*2:23.13, 5th), 400m free relay (4:57.41, 5th), 200m free relay (2:34.86, 6th), 200m IM (2:52.09, 7th), 200m IM relay (2:51.74, 8th), 100m fly (1:22.87, 10th), 100m back (1:18.86, 10th), 400m free (5:04.69, 10th), 100m free (*1:06.95, 11th), and 50m free (*30.44, 12th)