Pointe Claire hosts seasonal invitational

Since the historic Pointe Claire pool’s opening in 1965, the meet has signalled the close of the first cycle of the swim season, which sees the country’s developing competitors race 25-metre laps. “The kids have been training since September and gearing up,” said Peter Carpenter, head coach of the Pointe Claire club. “Now’s an opportunity to see how fast they can swim in competition.”

The meet also offers a chance for several of Eastern Canada’s best – ranging from ages 11 to 17 and over – to test themselves. No fewer than 15 other clubs from Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island were represented in last week’s four-day competition. “For a lot of kids this is fine-tuning,” commented Pointe Claire Swim Club (PCSC) assistant coach Jason Chugh. “Basically after this we go into a big training block and then in February we have all the championship meets – the nationals and the provincials.”

Divided in two 25-metre lengths, the Olympic-size pool became a crowded arena of competition with short course races rolling at both ends. Developmental Provincial 1 age groups raced in the shallow segment and top-ranked Provincial 2s in the deep end, even as medal presentations were staged before a cheering audience of swim clubs and their families. Some 477 swimmers representing 16 clubs took part.

The hosting Pointe Claire club, with the greatest share of competitors, dominated the results – earning 1,242 points in the P2 category, followed by 447 points for the second-place Beaconsfield Bluefins and 392 for Ontario’s Ajax Aquatic Club. Final standings in the P1 category were similar – with Pointe Claire closing at 732 points to the Bluefins’ 509 and Ajax’ 348.

Fastest overall swimmers were PCSC’s Steven Bielby, 18, who won the men’s open High Point Trophy with six first-place gold finishes and one silver, and, among the 15–16 boys, PCSC’s Daniel Jensen and rival Marc-André Ruel of the Beaconsfield Bluefins. A 200-metre freestyle final settled the score between the 16-year-olds, as Jensen edged Ruel with a record-breaking time for the Pointe Claire club. “(Daniel) did a great time and I was really impressed,” Ruel commented. “I kind of wanted my revenge in the 400 freestyle – so I got him there.”

Jensen also set a provincial record in the 100-metre medley. “All of my teammates swam well,” said the Pointe Claire native, “and it was fun to race with Marc-André. We’ve always been good competitors. It’s fun.”

PCSC’s Ashley McGregor, High Point winner in the girls 13-14 age group, also set provincial records with her top finishes in the 50- and 200-metre breaststroke. “I swam surprisingly well,” she said. “It feels good to be the best in Quebec.” McGregor also won gold in the 100-metre breaststroke, 100- and 400-metre medleys, and silver in freestyle and backstroke races. Leading the way for the Beaconsfield girls was Chelsea Rolin, earning High Points among 15-16 year-olds with five gold and one silver medal.