Staff
Local swimmer Donovan Taylor came away with a pair of medals at the Swim International 2010 meet in Brantford, Ont. over the weekend.
Taylor took bronze in both the 100m free (54.01) and the 200m I.M. (2:10.20) while narrowly missing out on two other medals after finishing fourth in the 100m fly (58.12) and 400m I.M. (4:37.84).
The 16-year-old also earned seventh-place finishes in the 100m breast (1:10.65) and 200m free (1:59.30), an eighth in the 400m free (4:15.26), and an 11th in the 50m free (25.49).
Fort Frances Aquanauts coach Dawnn Taylor noted her son set personal bests all through the competition—from seed times to preliminaries to the finals.
As well, seven of his times were good enough to qualify Taylor for the Speedo Eastern Championships in London, Ont. from Feb. 17-20.
Taylor is now ranked nationally in a number of his events, including fifth in the 400m I.M. and 200m free, sixth in the 100m butterfly and 200 I.M., ninth in the 100m free, 11th in the 400m free, and 14th in the 100m breast.
“Apart from a daunting, long drive, the trip was an inspiration as I began to realize that I, from the small town of 9,000 proud inhabitants, was able to beat competitors who were from highly-recognized and revered teams, and who were considered the best in their respective fields,” Donovan noted in an e-mail from Marquette, Mich. on Monday night.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Aquanauts were in action at the Kenora Swimming Sharks Invitational over the weekend, where Adam Stromberg and Levi Rittau made the most noise.
Stromberg, 12, won a medal in all eight of his events, coming home with five golds and three silvers.
He came first in the 50m free (30.01), 100m free (1:08.16), 50m back (37.89), 100m breast (1:29.54), and 200m I.M. (2:55.30) and took second in the 200m free (2:36.77), 100m back (1:23.83), and 200m breast (3:17.15).
Rittau, 13, won medals in seven of his eight events, including three gold.
Rittau took top honours in the 100m free (1:04.03), 200m back (2:43.83), and 200 I.M. (2:42.04) and was second in the 50m free (29.13), 200m free (2:26.43), and 100m back (1:13.75).
He earned bronze in the 50m breast (41.52) and rounded out the weekend with a fifth in the 100m fly (1:20.36).
Other local medallists included Katja Sutherland, 15, who won the 200m breast (3:14.90), and Krista Emond, 17, who took a bronze in the 50m fly (39.06).
In all, Sutherland finished in the top six in five of her seven events while Emond finished at least ninth in all eight of hers.
Meanwhile, Jillian Gustafson, 15, had a near-miss, finishing fourth in the 50m back (38.54).
A number of Aquanauts also improved significantly on their seed times.
Abigail Douglas, 11, cut more than six seconds in her 100m free, Ashley Wilson, nine, dropped 10 seconds in the 50m breast, Calli Loveday, eight, sliced 12 seconds from her 100m free, and Cole Trimble, nine, chopped 17 seconds from his 200m I.M.
As well, Lyndsi Jo Wilson, 12, trimmed nearly seven seconds in the 200m free, Mitchell Riordon, 12, cut nearly 32 seconds in the 200m back, and Piper Danylchuk, six, was 11 seconds faster in the 50m free.
Lastly, Regan Danylchuk, 12, cut nearly 21 seconds in the 100m back, Sarah Rittau, nine, dropped almost 46 seconds in the 200m I.M., and Tayla Trimble chopped almost 15 seconds in the 100m back.
Six Aquanauts next will see action Dec. 2-5 at the Prairie Winter Invitational in Winnipeg.
