Westmount Dolphins prove success is a product of team spirit and dedication

There was much to celebrate. According to Nancy Nelson and her son Sky Wittman, 14, the Dolphins had their best season yet, coming in first in their section, B, upgrading them to the highest level, A. They also came in first place in their finals.

The awards handed out after the barbecue were proof not only of the teams' competitive achievments, they were a testament to the teams' spirit and determination.

Nelson says the backbone of the team is the spirit of the kids who participate. Swimmers and former swimmers show up at practices and events for moral support.

Nelson, who has been swimming her entire life, even before she could walk, has been with the Westmount Dolphins since 1998. She describes the swim team as “something all the kids benefit from.”

Nelson got her children involved in swimming to "get them out of bed during the summer months." What began as a morning wake-up call soon became a way of life for Nelson and her two children, her son Sky and daughter Casey, a retired member of the team who now coaches.

The Dolphins celebrated the end of a great season where they excelled competitively, and had a lot of fun along the way.

Sky Wittman is just one of the team members who will sorely miss swimming with the Dolphins, at least until activity picks up again next season. He described the team's success as a direct result of the teams' direction.

Sky said, “if it weren’t for our wonderful coaches, we would not be swimming today.”

Everyone involved bids a sad farewell to a truly triumphant season, the likes of which are not possible without the dedication of coaches and the drive and skill of the swimmers.

These awards were presented at the Dolphins' end-of-season barbecue, in the following age groups:

8 and under -Most improved: Chase Sinclair, Alexandra Pudja, Aela Janvier -Most dedicated: Julia Landsberger, James Sugden -Sportsmanship: Bryan Landsberger

9 and 10 -Most improved: Xanthi Dionisopoulos, Melissa Anber -Most dedicated: Sebastien Tourillon, Paris Sinclair, Duncan Lovell -Sportsmanship: George Perlman

11 and 12 -Most improved: Daniela Solis -Most dedicated: Gabriel Boulet -Sportsmanship: Sara Ordonselli

13 and over -Most improved: Sarah Ibrahim -Most dedicated: Yu Shen Gu -Sportsmanship: Valentina Pieters

The Nancy Nelson Parent Volunteer Award -Shared by Kathryn Rosenstein, Robin Simmons and Natalie Audet

The (New) Leah and Zach Glassman Award – for a Senior swimmer who has shown great leadership and continued dedication to the team - Gabrielle Reda and Jordan Fraser