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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-12-26, Page 13Sports Big things anticipated from high school swimmers 1'74 The Huron Expositor • December 26, 2007 Page 13 ; f. at Ben Forrest GINIMEMEMID If you happen upon the pool at the Vanastra Recreation Centre most weekdays, there's a good chance you'll find local high school students knifing through the water. Both St. Anne's and Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) train there twice a week, and both are making a splash on the com- petitive swimming scene in Huron and Perth. St. Anne's coach Terri Van Osch reports surprising success for her 39 -member squad, and anticipates big things at the upcoming Huron - Perth championships. St Anne's finished second overall at a recent meet in Goderich and third at a previous meet in Stratford, their only competitions thus far this season. CHSS did not fare as well, but coach Scott Middleton attributes that to the team's relatively small size. Most teams have more than 30 members, while CHSS has only 21, Middleton said. This makes it diffi- cult for the squad to grab large point totals and challenge for team championships. Individually, however, they match up quite well. "The last time I compared every- thing, there was only one team that on an individual basis seemed like they were just whipping us," he said. St. Anne's sent four athletes to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships and may double that number this year, said Van Osch. Two individual athletes — Dani Heinbuch of Goderich and Jessica Sparling of Blyth — are posting times close to those needed to qualify for the provincial meet. Three of St. Anne's relay teams also have a chance at qualifying, Van Osch said. Heinbuch went to OFSAA last year and was in fine form at the Goderich meet, winning two events. Sparling, a Grade 11 student, won the senior girls' 50m freestyle at the Goderich competition and came second in the 100m freestyle event. Standouts on the CHSS collective include a number of Seaforth ath- letes, many of whom figure to do well at Huron -Perth. Kody Jacobs will likely finish in the top three in at least one event, said Middleton, while Caleb Ringgenberg, Matt Fisher, Alex Cardno and Amy. Picknell have all impressed their coach this season. Middleton also noted the moxie Ben Forrest photos The high school swim season is in full swing, with a number of favourable -results from local athletes. Shown here at a recent practice are Alex Cardno, (top) and Ben Shepherd, both members of the Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) squad, and both of the Seaforth area. of his junior girls' team, composed mainly of Grade 9 students. "All the kids that just joined this year are all about heart and dig- ging in and getting things done," he said. "It doesn't seem to matter what happens. Nothing phases them." Both Middleton and Van Osch are impressed not only with the accomplishments of their athletes but the character of the same group. "We have a big team," she said, "but ... they're a lovely team to coach, and they're really good at cheering each other on." Later, she added she would be crazy to coach them if this wasn't the case, due to the time commit- ment involved. Middleton said most swim coach- es will say they have the best kids in the school on their teams, and implied he feels the same way about his athletes. Coaching swimming has added greatly to his experience at CHSS, he said. "It's one of the things that I love to do," he added. Huron -Perth takes place Jan. 11 at the Maitland Recreation Centre in Goderich. Those who qualify will go on to the Western Ontario Secondary School's Athletic Association (WOSSAA) meet in mid-February. OFSAA is scheduled for March 4-5 in Etobicoke. Seatorth Community Hospital Foundation Fundraising Campaign PACS Campaign Our Goal $213,283 Current Donations $206,022 (Including Christmas $14,022) OUR STARTS WED., AT 9AM TO 6PM & �/DS MON., DEC. 31 AT Dublin Mercantile 59 Mill Street, Dublin, Ont. 519-345-9922 www.dublinmercantile. ca • 50' OFF LOWEST PRI-' CHRISTMAS! • 25% OFF ALL OTHER ITEMS • FINAL SALE ITEMS UP TO . 80% OFF