Dolphins Swim Club Girls Squad Golden

The Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville girls’ squad dominated the prestigious Mississauga Harvest Invitational, taking home 24 gold, 7 new club records and 7 number 1 National rankings for this year.

 It is hard to believe that the swimming year has only just begun for the small group of swimmers who took part in the competition last weekend with other teams from the across the Greater Toronto Area.  With only 17 swimmers competing at the Harvest, less than half the representation of the other teams in attendance, the Dolphins managed a fourth place overall in the team standings.

The top performers for the Dolphins were 15 year old Sinead Russell and 12 year old Maggie Burns. Sinead, with 10 gold medal victories, 3 number one National rankings and high point winner in the women’s division,  swam to gold in the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 freestyle, the 100 and 200 butterfly, the 100 and 200 backstroke (both National number 1 rankings) and the 400 Individual Medley (National number one ranking). Sinead added 2 bronze in the 100 and 200 breastroke. Maggie Burns, burned up the pool with 7 gold, 3 number 1 National rankings and high point winner for the overall girls standings, took home gold in the 200 and 400 Individual Medley (Nationally ranked number 1), the 100 and 200 butterfly (both Nationally ranked number 1) and the 50, 100 and 200 breastroke events. Maggie added 2 silver medals for the 50 and 100freestyle.

The Dolphins other gold medals victories came from 13 year old Lauren Dixon in the 100 and 200 breastroke and the 800 freestyle adding silver in the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle and bronze in the 50 freestyle. Olivia Sbaraglia, 11, took gold in the 50 and 100 backstroke with silvers in the 50 and 100 freestyle and bronze in the 100 butterfly. Olivia out did herself with a number one National ranking in her 50 freestyle as the lead off swimmer in the women’s 4 x 200 freestyle relay. Meryn McCann, 10, swam to gold in the 50 backstroke adding silver in the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.

Silver and bronze medal wins from the Dolphins squad were swum by 11 year old Conchobhair Russell, silvers in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and the 100 breastroke adding bronze in the 100 butterfly and the 200 Individual medley; 11 year old William Dixon, silver in the 50 freestyle and bronze in the 50 backstroke and 17 year old Isabelle Nat taking bronze in the 50 freestyle.

The Dolphins claim to fame at the competition was the unexpected and startling gold medal victory in the women’s 4 x 200 freestyle relay. The girls added a bronze in the 4 x 200 Medley relay.

Dolphins top small club at provincials

Sports

Mar 26, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a

What the Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville lacked in quantity at the recent junior short course provincials, it made up for with quality.

Despite sending only 18 swimmers to the meet, the Dolphins still managed to finish eighth out of the 80-plus-club field, earning the Ontario Small Team Award.

Sinead Russell led the way for the Dolphins, setting three national age group records. Russell broke the previous standards en route to winning the 13-14 girls' 100-metre backstroke, 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley.

Her 100m backstroke time of 1:01.35 broke the long-standing record of Olympic triathlon team member Suzanne Weekerd. Russell also completed the 200m backstroke in a time of 2:12.10, then bested a 25-year-old mark in the 200m IM with a time of 2:16.75.

Twelve-year-old Lauren Dixon and 10-year-old Olivia Sbaraglia were Oakville's other gold medalists at the provincials. Dixon won the 100m and 200m breaststroke events, while Sbaraglia was victorious in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Sbaraglia added silver in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke. Conor Russell, 11, earned a bronze in the 400m freestyle.

The Dolphins also showed well in relay competition. The 13-14 girls' team of Jacqueline Baillie, Olivia Anderson, Sinead Russell and Dixon claimed silver in the 4x50m medley and bronze in the 4x50m freestyle.

In 11-12 girls' relay, Maggie Burns, Alexandra Newton, Dixon and Sbaraglia won bronze in both the 4x50m medley and 4x100m medley

Dolphins win 11 medals in Montreal

Sports

Jan 11, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

The Dolphins Swim Club earned 11 medals, including three golds, at the CAMO meet in Montreal.

Sinead Russell, 14, earned a pair of golds, taking first in the 200-metre freestyle and the 200m backstroke. She also won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke.

Twelve-year-old Lauren Dixon claimed the club's other gold with a victory in the 50m breaststroke. She also won silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 200m breaststroke and a bronze in the 50m freestyle.

Alex VanOmmen, 16, won a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke. Maggie Burns, 11, won a bronze in the 200m breaststroke while 14-year-old Joey Weatherill took bronze in the 200m freestyle.

Dolphins' Baillie surprise winner

Sports

Feb 16, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Jacqueline Baillie of the Dolphins Swim Club was a surprise winner at the central regional swimming championships last weekend.

The 13-year-old Baillie was not favoured to win her 200-metre freestyle event, but reached the wall first to cap a successful weekend. Earlier at the meet, Baillie won silver in the 400m freestyle.

Other Dolphins finalists included 10-year-old William Dixon (silver in 100m freestyle), 12-year-old Kurt Schubert (bronze in 200m butterfly), 14-year-old Olivia Andersen (fifth in 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle) and 22-year-old Brooks Schubert (fifth in 200m freestyle).

The Dolphins qualified two new swimmers for the provincial championships, scheduled for the end of this month.

In other recent club news, senior national team member Colin Russell set a provincial record in the men's 200m short course freestyle at the Etobicoke Olympium. His time of 1:44.43 gave him a top-ten world ranking for this year.

Dolphins open year with big splash

Sports

Nov 08, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Both new and returning swimmers have contributed to a strong start to the season by the Dolphins Swim Club.

The Dolphins won 21 gold medals, 14 silver and 18 bronze at the season-opening Hall of Fame competition in Etobicoke, setting six club records in the process. The Dolphins then brought home 26 gold, 14 silver and eight bronze from the Milton Dash for Cash, setting two more club standards.

In Etobicoke, 13-year-old Lauren Dixon was the Dolphins’ top swimmer, winning five gold medals in her age group. Dixon was victorious in the 100-metre and 200m breaststrokes, the 100m and 200m freestyles and the 200m individual medley.

William Dixon, 11, added gold in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 100m and 200m freestyle. Olivia Sbaraglia, also 11, claimed gold in the 50m freestyle and took silver in the 100m and 200m freestyles as well as the 100m backstroke.

At the Dash for Cash, 10-yearold Meryn McCann won gold in all five events she competed in (100m and 200m freestyles, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly).

Sbaraglia added four golds (400m individual medley, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly), with 11-year-old Conchobhair Russell and 14-yearold Amy Schubert winning three races each.

Double-gold medalists were Olivia Andersen, Kurt Schubert, Jonathan Koren and George Papangelakis.

Georgia Nelson, Katie Tsounis and William Dixon also won races.

Other Dolphins medal-winners in Milton included Andres Alvarez, Elise Nelson, Panos Papangelakis, Marcus Ruiz, David Tiganila, Michael Tiganila and Sarah Tsounis.

Dolphins

The Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville competed at the York Invitational on November 22^nd at the York University pool in Toronto. The very small contingent of 19 swimmers competed only on the first day of the two day competition against teams from across the greater Toronto area. The strong Dolphins squad captured 10 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals in addition to establishing 4 new club records.

To set the stage of success for these determined young swimmers, 10 year old Meryn McCann lit up the pool with her 4 gold medal sweep. Meryn swam to gold in the 50 and 200 freestyle and the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Not far behind Meryn’s stellar performances was 12 year old Jonathan Koren taking 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Jonathan took gold in the 200 freestyle and the 50 butterfly adding silver in the 100 freestyle and a bronze in the 100 breast-stroke.

Adding to the gold medal tally for the Dolphins were 9 year old Katie Tsounis, 25 butterfly, 11 year old Olivia Sbaraglia, 200 backstroke and 16 year old Courtney Gregorian for the 50 butterfly.

The Dolphins additional silver medal performances were swum by 10 year old Panos Papanagelakis, 25 butterfly, and Olivia Sbaraglia, 100 breast-stroke.

Taking home additional bronze for the Dolphins squad was 6 year old Shannon Russell, 100 freestyle and 25 butterfly, 10 year old George Papanagelakis, 25 butterfly, 12 year old Georgia Nelson, 100 breast-stroke, and Courtney Gregorian swimming the 200 butterfly in the 200 freestyle event.

 The Oakville Dolphins Swim Club competed at the prestigious International Youth Cup held at the Etobicoke Olympium December 4^th-7^th. The Dolphins competed against teams from across Canada and the Cayman Islands. A good number of the best youth from across Canada competed at the event vying for the coveted Youth Cup trophy. The Dolphins girl’s team brought home a provincial record, 2 Youth Cup High Point trophies, 19 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze, 3 gold medal winning relay squads in addition to adding a Senior National qualifier, establishing 13 new club records, posting 15 Meet Competition Records and instituting 10 number 1 National rankings.

Leading the way to the Dolphins girls’ domination was 15 year old Sinead Russell and 12 year old Maggie Burns. Both Dolphins girls took top honors in their respective divisions to attain the coveted prize, the Youth Cup trophy. Lauren Dixon, 13, was runner up in the 13 year old girls division.

Sinead over powered  the Senior girls 15-17 division, firing up the pool with  8 individual gold, 3 senior relay gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Sinead soared to gold in the 200, 400 and 1500 freestyle, the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke, the 200 and 400 Individual Medley events. Sinead added silver in the 50 freestyle and a bronze in the 200 butterfly. Sinead broke her previous provincial record for the 15-18 girls in the 100 backstroke event.

Maggie Burns challenged her field in the girls 12 and under division racing to 4 gold medal victories, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Maggie swam to gold in the 100 and 200 butterfly, the 50 backstroke and the 400 Individual Medley adding a silver in the 100 breastroke and bronze in the50 butterfly, 50 breastroke, 200 Individual Medley and the 800 freestyle events.

Not to be out done, a determined 13 year old Lauren Dixon burned up the pool in the girl’s 13 year old division taking second in the overall standings, aspiring to 4 individual gold medal victories and 2 senior relay gold. Individually, Lauren raced to gold in the 50, 100 and 200 breastroke and upset the field to capture the 200 freestyle race. 

The Dolphins girls relay teams were in pursuit of gold in 3 out of the four senior relays evens. Fearlessly, the spirited senior girls relay squads took on the best and proved triumphant.  Victorious in their pursuit, the gold medal relay teams were from 15 year old Marina Biasutto, 17 year old Isabelle Nat, 15 year old Meaghan McCann and Sinead Russell in the 4 x 100 freestyle; Sinead, Lauren Dixon, 16 year old Courtney Gregorian and Marina in the 4 x 50 Medley and Sinead, Lauren, Courtney and Isabelle in the 4 x 100 Medley. The relay team of Isabelle Nat, Meaghan McCann, Marina Biasutto and Sinead Russell swam to bronze in the 4 x 50 freestyle.

Dolphins other finalists were Meaghan McCann, producing Senior National qualifying standards in the 100 and 200 backstroke events, 11 year old Olivia Sbaraglia with a Nationally ranked # 1 time in the 50 freestyle for 11 year olds, 15 year old Olivia Andersen, 11 year old Conchobhair Russell, Marina Biasutto and Courtney Gregorian. Jacquie Baillie also qualified age group nationals in 50 free, 100 free, 200 free style.

Sports

Nov 14, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Averaging more than two medals per swimmer, the Dolphins Swim Club enjoyed a successful showing at the Mississauga Aquatic Club's Harvest Meet earlier this month.

The 22-member team combined to collect 23 gold, 15 silver and bronze, breaking 25 club records in the process, and each swimmer posted at least one personal-best time.

Leading the way was 14-year-old Sinead Russell, who won gold in the 200-metre and 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m and 400m individual medleys, and the 200m butterfly. Russell has qualified in seven events for next year's Olympic Trials, to be held in Montreal.

Other gold-medal swims came from 12-year-old Lauren Dixon (50m and 100m breaststroke, 800m freestyle) and 10-year-old Olivia Sbaraglia (50m backstroke).

Adding silvers were 10-year-old Conor Russell (100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley), 19-year-old Cameron Russell (200m breaststroke), Sbaraglia (50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke) and Dixon (50m and 100m freestyle).

Twelve-year-old Kurt Schubert (100m butterfly), Sinead Russell (800m freestyle) and Cameron Russell (100m breaststroke) added bronze-medal efforts.

The Harvest Meet featured clubs from across the Greater Toronto Area

Sports

Nov 02, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Sinead Russell of the Dolphins Swim Club won the 50-metre backstroke and 200m individual medley at the Second Annual Hall of Fame swim meet in Etobicoke.

The 14-year-old finished the meet with four medals, also earning a silver in the 100m breaststroke and a bronze in the 100m butterfly.

The Dolphins only competed in the opening day of the two-day meet, but still managed won 16 medals.

Maggie Burns, 11, also won four medals, including a gold in the 200m individual medley. She also earned a pair of silver medals in the 100m butterfly and 50m backstroke and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke.

Colin Russell won both the 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle as well as a bronze in the 50m backstroke.

Other medal winners for the Dolphins included: Conor Russell, who won a silver in the 50m backstroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke; 12-year-old Lauren Dixon, who earned silver medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle; and James Richards, who won a bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Sports

May 19, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

In its first year competing at the Division 1 level, the Dolphins Swim Club finished eighth at the provincial team championships recently in Ottawa.

The Dolphins, who moved up to Division 1 this season after dominating the Division 2 championships last year, had targeted a top-10 showing out of the 20 teams vying for an all-Ontario title. Members of the team combined for 22 medals, 40 top-eight finishes and 22 club records.

Sinead Russell led the way with four medals, including gold-medal efforts in the 100-metre and 200m backstroke as well as the 200m freestyle. Olivia Sbaraglia had a gold (50m backstroke) and three silver, while Conor Russell collected a gold (200m freestyle), silver and bronze. Colin Russell, in his first competition following shoulder surgery, won the 50m freestyle and added a silver in 400m freestyle, and Lauren Dixon earned bronze medals in 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Michelle Gervais and Bronwyn Evans also contributed to the team's showing by posting top-eight finishes in several races, earning points for their club.

The Dolphins also competed at the Ralph Hicken Invitational and the North York High Performance Meet this month.

Sinead Russell won 11 of the Dolphins' 23 gold medals at the Ralph Hicken meet, which was hosted by the Mississauga Aquatic Club, and added a bronze. Conor Russell finished first in six of the seven races he entered, claiming a silver in the other, with Dixon (two) and Cameron Russell (one) also striking gold.

Gervais and Evans collected silver medals and Cassandra Pedro, Linda Wang and Sbaraglia earned bronze.

In relay, the girls' 15-and-over team of Alexandra Van Ommen, Isabelle Nat, Olivia George-Parker and Sinead Russell finished second in the 200m medley. Three Dolphins teams won bronze, including the 13-14 girls' 200m freestyle (Jacqueline Baillie, Sara Pearson, Sinead Russell and George-Parker), the 13-14 boys' 200m freestyle (Peter Kruzyk, James Richards, Joey Weatherill and Cole Van Ommen), and the boys' 15-and-over 200m medley (Matt Clark, Alex Kruzyk, Cameron Russell and Richards).

At the North York competition, Dixon won five events and placed third in two others. Conor Russell, Sinead Russell, Cameron Russell, Evans, Pedro and Pearson were other medal winners.

Dolphins swimmer wins seven gold

Sports

Dec 21, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Dolphins Swim Club swimmer Sinead Russell rolled sevens at the International Youth Cup competition earlier this month in Etobicoke.

Russell's seven swims netted her seven gold medals, seven meet records and seven top-ranked positions in Canada for females age 13-14.

Also winning gold for the Dolphins was 12-year-old Lauren Dixon, who won gold in the 100-metre breaststroke and added a silver in the 200m. Both swims were completed in club-record time.

Other Dolphins finalists at the meet included Peter Kruzyk, James Richards, Joey Weatherill, Maggie Burns, Alex Van Ommen and Isabella Nat.

The Youth Cup attracted teams from across Canada, the U.S., the Caymand Islands and Great Britain. Swimmers ranged in age from 12-17.

Dolphins

The Dolphins Swim Club of Oakville competed at the York Invitational on November 22^nd at the York University pool in Toronto. The very small contingent of 19 swimmers competed only on the first day of the two day competition against teams from across the greater Toronto area. The strong Dolphins squad captured 10 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals in addition to establishing 4 new club records.

To set the stage of success for these determined young swimmers, 10 year old Meryn McCann lit up the pool with her 4 gold medal sweep. Meryn swam to gold in the 50 and 200 freestyle and the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Not far behind Meryn’s stellar performances was 12 year old Jonathan Koren taking 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Jonathan took gold in the 200 freestyle and the 50 butterfly adding silver in the 100 freestyle and a bronze in the 100 breast-stroke.

Adding to the gold medal tally for the Dolphins were 9 year old Katie Tsounis, 25 butterfly, 11 year old Olivia Sbaraglia, 200 backstroke and 16 year old Courtney Gregorian for the 50 butterfly.

The Dolphins additional silver medal performances were swum by 10 year old Panos Papanagelakis, 25 butterfly, and Olivia Sbaraglia, 100 breast-stroke.

Taking home additional bronze for the Dolphins squad was 6 year old Shannon Russell, 100 freestyle and 25 butterfly, 10 year old George Papanagelakis, 25 butterfly, 12 year old Georgia Nelson, 100 breast-stroke, and Courtney Gregorian swimming the 200 butterfly in the 200 freestyle event.

Russell Breaks Garapick's 32 yr old NAG Record in 100 back

Jun 11, 2008       Nikki Dryden

Sinead Russell (sister of 2008 Olympic Team member Colin Russell) broke Nancy Garapick's 32 year-old Canadian 13/14 National Age Group record for the 100 back at a swim meet in Barcelona yesterday.

Russell, who swims for the Dolphins Swim Club and is coached by her mother in Oakville, ON, is also the daughter of former coach Cecil Russell. The 14 year old smashed Garapick's record of 1:03.28 (set in a bronze medal winning swim at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal) twice, once in heats with a 1:02.90 then again in the finals with a 1:02.66 to finish in 8th spot at the Mare Nostrum's Barcelona stop.

Of the 11 girls on the top 10 All-Time TAG list, 6 went on to represent Canada at the Olympics in backstroke: Garapick '76, Howard '92 & '96, Stefanyshyn '00, Dryden '92 & '96, Seeman '08, and Melien '88.

ALL TIME 13-14 LONG COURSE CANADIAN TAG

100 METRES BACKSTROKE

1--1:02.66--Russell, Sinead,14,DS--LCM08

2--1:03.28--Garapick, Nancy,14,HTAC--LCM76

3--1:04.29--Weckend, Suzanne,14,IS--LCM91

4--1:04.39--Howard, Julie,14,BRANT--LCM91

5--1:04.71--Buckland, Brooke,14,EAST--LCM03

6--1:05.06--Stefanyshyn, Kelly,14,MANTA--LCM97

7--1:05.25--Soucisse, Gabrielle,14,BBF--LCM05

8--1:05.26--Dryden, Nikki,14,IS--LCM89

9--1:05.30--Seeman, Lindsay,14,NEW--LCM07

10--1:05.34--Melien, Lori,14,AAC--LCM87

Russell shakes pressure, injury to qualify for Beijing

By Herb Garbutt

Sports

Apr 05, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Colin Russell has faced pressure throughout his swimming career, but probably the worst of it came from within.

As he entered this past week's Canadian Olympic swim trials, Russell was taking a realistic view of the situation. Coming off shoulder surgery 15 months ago, he was not looking at the pool through rose-coloured goggles.

"Honestly, I knew this would probably be the last (Olympic trials) for me. I had to look at it that way," the 23-year-old local resident said. "Swimming is a sport for the young. I'm just glad I wasn't too old."

That gave the meet, which began Tuesday in Montreal, a now-or-never urgency that Russell had not faced before. He answered the challenge Wednesday, qualifying for the Canadian Olympic team that will head to Beijing in August.

"I had a hard time sleeping last night," Russell said Thursday, less than 24 hours after winning the 200-metre freestyle. "It's about time I made that goal. It's been a really long process."

Russell said it took him more than six months after the surgery to get back to where he once was, but he then hit a wall.

"I've been expecting a drop in time for three years," he said. "Then at provincials I set the Ontario record and I wasn't even rested or shaved so I was expecting to be faster here and I wanted to go for the Canadian record."

While he didn't quite get the record, his performance was still a major breakthrough. He took a second and a half off his personal best with a time of one minute, 47.81 seconds in the preliminaries. He followed that up in the final by swimming 1:46.99 -- 14 hundredths of a second off the record of Brent Hayden, who finished second -- to win and lock up his place on the Olympic team. Oakville's Andrew Hurd finished third in 1:48.57 to secure a spot on the Canadian 4x200m freestyle relay team.

Hurd, 25, and Russell were on the 4x200m squad that won a silver medal at the 2005 world championships a bronze last year. Russell believes they can contend for a spot on the podium again.

"We have four or five great guys we can use on that relay," Russell said. "It's possible. Getting a medal (could be) a reality."

One reality Russell has to deal with is that as he has more success, the brighter the spotlight shines on him and his father. Cecil Russell was banned for life by Swimming Canada, reinstated in 2005 and then banned again last June when an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled he had deceived an arbitrator about being fully exonerated in an ecstasy trafficking ring in the United States.

While Cecil Russell isn't allowed on a pool deck and Colin's mom, Erin, is listed as his official coach, Colin said his father still plays an important role in his training and, along with University of Toronto Byron MacDonald, helped him through a difficult period as he rehabbed his shoulder.

"It does bother me," Colin said of the controversy, "and I don't answer many questions about it. I try to stay away from the politics and, for the most part, everyone is good except for the media."

For now, he is focusing his attention on the trials -- he can still qualify in the 100m freestyle -- and preparing for the Olympics.

"I'm extremely happy with the win," he said. "And being able to represent Canada as an individual was something I really wanted to do."

 DREAMS DO COME TRUE…COLIN RUSSELL IS OFF TO BEIJING

On the second day of the 7 day Olympic trials competition, held in Montreal’s Olympic venue, Colin Russell, of the Dolphins Swim Club in Oakville, made a life long dream a reality by winning the men’s 200 freestyle just edging out Canadian record holder Brent Hayden. Colin’s Ontario record time of 1:46.99 was good enough to direct Colin straight to Beijing for the Olympics in August. Colin showed he is back in the game, fully recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the water for almost a year. Colin led at every split of the 200 meter race swimming well enough to put him in the top two in the world right now.

CHINA BOUND

Colin Russell winner of the 200 free-style

at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Ontario record time

It starts with a dream coupled with determination to make it reality

BEIJING SENDOFF GOOD LUCK: The Dolphins Swim Club held a sendoff Saturday at Picadeli Restaurant for local resident Colin Russell, who will represent Canada at the upcoming Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, and presented him with a commissioned painting (shown here) by Keith Deimer. Russell will compete in the 200-metre freestyle event and will also join Oakville's Andrew Hurd on the 4x200m freestyle relay team.

Sports

Jul 21, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Kurt Schubert stepped up his training and was rewarded with three medals at the Walter Gritten Invitational swim meet in Brantford.

With the goal of making provincials, the 11-year-old Dolphins Swim Club member doubled his practice schedule from two times a week to four. Schubert won the 50-meter freestyle and added a silver in the 100m and a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly. In addition, he qualified for provincials in the 50m freestyle and the 100m butterfly.

Schubert's medals were three of the 60, including 27 golds, won by the club.

Cole Van Ommen won five individual golds -- 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly -- and a relay gold as well. He also won a silver in the 50m butterfly. Sinead Russell won seven golds -- five individual and two relay. Russell earned victories in the 50m and 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 200m butterfly.

Olivia Sbaraglia won the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle as well as the 50m backstroke and claimed a silver in the 200m individual medley and a relay bronze. Conor Russell, also 10, won four golds, finishing first in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly. He also won a gold and bronze in the relays.

Lauren Dixon earned five medals, inclusing a pair of gold medals in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle. She also won silver in the 100m breaststroke and 200m freestyle and a bronze in the 50m freestyle.

Other individual medalists were Maggie Burns (gold 100m fly), Isabelle Nat (gold 100m free, bronze 100m fly and 200m free), Cameron Russell (200m free, 100m breast), William Dixon (silver 50m back, bronze 50m free, 100m back, 200m IM); Cassandra Pedro (silver 100 fly, bronze 50m fly, 100m free); Bronwyn Evans (silver 100m free); Peter Kruzyk (silver 50m, 200m free, bronze 200m IM); Sara Pearson (silver 100m, 200m fly); Lydia McKee (silver 200m breast); Alex Van Ommen (silver 100m breast, bronze 200m breast); Veronica Jasek (bronze 100m, 200m back, 50m breast); Joey Weatherill (bronze 100m breast).

Relay medal-winning teams were: Gold, Mixed 11-12-year-old 200m medley (Linda Wang, Alex Newton, Cassandra Pedro, Conor Russell); gold; mixed 11-12-year-old 200m freestyle (Cole Van Ommen, Kurt Schubert, Bronwyn Evans, Lauren Dixon); gold, 13-14-year-old mixed 200m medley (Sinead Russell, Sara Pearson, Joey Weatherill, Peter Kruzyk); gold, 13-and-14-year-old mixed 200m freestyle (Peter Kruzyk, Joey Weatherill, Sinead Russell, Jacqueline Baillie); gold, 11-12-year-old 200m freestyle (Maggie Burns, Conor Russell, Cassandra Pedro, Olivia Sbaraglia).

Oakville Dolphins Swimmer Sets the Standard

Oakville Dolphins Swimmer, 15 year old Sinead Russell, competed at the Canada Cup in Etobicoke the November 27^th weekend. The Canada Cup is Canada’s top senior competition of the year post Olympics. Canada’s top swimmers from over 80 teams across Canada and the United States competed in one venue to assess their position on the world swimming scene. The Etobicoke Olympium hosted this prestigious event giving Canada a good glance at their prospects in their next 4 year cycle on the road to London 2012.

Dolphins recognize top swimmers

Sports

Sep 26, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

The Dolphins Swim Club celebrated the most successful season in club history last weekend with an awards picnic at Coronation Park.

Among the club's accomplishments this past season were 256 new club records, a fifth-place finish at the Division One Team Championships, an eighth-place showing in the provincials (and Small Team Award victory), and an 11th-place outing at the national age group championships (sixth overall in the women's division).

Dolphins swimmers set six national age group records and 14 provincial records. The club boasted an Olympian, Colin Russell, with athletes on both the senior and junior national teams.

Oakville MP Bonnie Brown attended the picnic to present an award to Russell in recognition of his fine year. Russell and the Canadian team finished fifth in the 4x200-metre freestyle relay at the Olympics, and sixth in the 4x100m.

Following is a list of the Dolphins' 2008 award winners:

·  Most valuable swimmer: Colin Russell

·  Most improved swimmers: Camille Maisonnueve and Joshua Hividston

·  Top first-year swimmers: Taylor Goosen and Brooks Schubert

·  Team spirit awards: Hannah Wasslen (junior) and Catia Almeida (senior)

·  Top 6-year-old swimmers: Shannon Russell and Christian Sbaraglia

·  Top 7-year-old swimmers: Alicia Eisen and Jacob Mallet

·  Top 8-year-old swimmers: Katie Tsounis and Brandon Wasslen

·  Top 9-year-old swimmer: Panos Papangelakis

·  Top 10-year-old swimmers: Olivia Sbaraglia and William Dixon

·  Top 11-year-old swimmers: Maggie Burns and Conchobhair Russell

·  Top 12-year-old swimmers: Lauren Dixon and Kurt Schubert

·  Top 13-year-old swimmers: Bronwyn Evans and Cole VanOmmen

·  Top 14-year-old swimmers: Sinead Russell and Joseph Weatherill

·  Top 15-year-old swimmers: Marina Biasutto and Peter Kruzyk

·  Top 16-year-old swimmers: Isabelle Nat and Cameron Russell

·  Most valued volunteers: Julie and Jeff Dixon, Jane Mackenzie, Dave Burns, Elaine Kelly, Heather McKinnon, Stacy Schubert, Veto Jasek, Lynn Baillie, Manny Almeida and Teresa Baleja

Dolphins swim to 43 medals at Etobicoke meet

Sports

Jan 30, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Starting the season off in promising fashion, Dolphins Swim Club athletes won 43 medals and set seven club records at the A/B meet in Etobicoke earlier this month.

Conor Russell accounted for eight of those medals, as the 10-year-old collected seven golds and a silver. Lauren Dixon won the 11-12 girls' 200-metre breast stroke and is the top-ranked swimmer in that event in Canada, finishing the meet with two golds and a bronze.

Other medal-winning Dolphins swimmers were Brooks Schubert (five gold), Cameron Russell (four gold, two bronze), Olivia Andersen (three gold, one silver), William Dixon (gold, two silver, three bronze), Kurt Schubert (one gold, one silver), Amy Schubert (one silver), Bronwyn Evans (one silver, one bronze) and Catia Almeida (one bronze).

Posting top-10 finishes for the Dolphins were Hannah Wasslen, Elise Nelson, Georgia Nelson, Jacqueline Baillie, Panos Panapagelakis, Michael Wasslen, David Tiganila and Michael Tiganila.

Dash for Cash

Dolphins swimmers also recently competed in the Milton Dash for Cash Invitational, taking more than their fair share of the booty.

The highlight of the meet was the 50m freestyle event. Dolphins swimmers took the prize money in all but two of those races, with each athlete competing five times in a 15-minute span.

Those winners included Olivia Sbaraglia, Conor Russell, Cole VanOmmen, Peter Kruzyk, Isabelle Nat, Cameron Russell, Sinead Russell, Lauren Dixon and Baillie.

Other cash winners, placing second behind their teammates, were William Dixon, Joey Weatherill, Evans and Andersen.

Winning medals were Maggie Burns, James Richards, Alexandra VanOmmen, Alexandra Newton, Conor Russell, Sinead Russell, Cameron Russell, Lauren Dixon, Cole VanOmmen, Weatherill, Kruzyk, Nat, Evans and Andersen.

Russell earns bronze in France, two silvers at national meet

Sports

Aug 08, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Coming off a double silver-medal performance at nationals, Colin Russell of the Dolphins swim club helped Canada win a bronze medal at the French Open in Paris, France.

Russell teamed up Brent Hayden, Andrew Rose and Adam Sioui to help Canada finish with a time of three minutes and 17.73 seconds in the men's 4x100-metre freestyle relay, less than a second behind the silver medal team from France. Russia won the gold in 3:15.42.

Earlier, Russell earned two silver medals at the Senior Canadian National Championships in Calgary, finishing behind only Canadian record holder Brent Hayden in the 50m and 100m freestyles.

Russell had only been back in the water for three months following nine months off due to arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Despite not being back to full strength, he equalled his best time in the 100 freestyle and set a new personal best in the 50m free. Russell also swam the second fastest time in the 200m freestyle at nationals but decided to sit out the final until his shoulder is completely healed.

Russell's 14-year-old sister, Sinead Russell, made the B final in four of her six events while competing against Canada's top senior swimmers. She placed second in the B final in both the 50m and 100m backstroke, was third in the 200m backstroke and 8th in the 200m individual medley.

Although it was the was third consecutive weekend she swam in a high performance meet -- she had been to the provincial championships and the age group national championships the previous two weekends -- she was able to turn in personal best times in each of the meets.

Both Russells also established Dolphins Swim Club records at the meet, Colin in the 50m freestyle and Sinead in the 50m backstroke.

Russells pace Dolphins

Sports

Sports

Nov 30, 2007

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Strong performances by siblings Colin and Sinead Russell helped the Dolphins Swim Club finished 16th overall at last weekend's International Bell Grand Prix swim meet.

Colin, a 23-year-old member of the national team, won silver in the 100-metre freestyle and added bronzes in the 50m and 200m freestyles. He also was fourth in the 50m breaststroke.

Sinead, 14 and a national youth team member, managed to make the finals in five of her seven events despite being the youngest in each by two years. She was sixth in the 200m backstroke, seventh in the 100m backstroke, second in the 'B' final in both the 50m backstroke and 200m individual medley, and sixth in the 200m freestyle. Those swims placed her as the top 14-year-old swimmer in Canada.

Sinead was also recognized at the meet for her past and present successes, being presented with the Victor Davis Memorial Award.

Siblings lead Dolphins at team meet

Sports

May 02, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

Led by a pair of brother-sister duos, the Dolphins Swim Club earned a fifth-place finish at the Division 1 Provincial Team Championships recently in Ottawa.

Youngsters Lauren and William Dixon combined to win 10 medals, including four gold. National team members Colin and Sinead Russell, meanwhile, won five events each for the Dolphins, who improved three positions from last year's provincials for their best-ever team showing.

William Dixon, 10, was perhaps the Dolphins' wild card at the meet. He surprised many in winning the 50-metre and 100m freestyle events, posting club-record times, and added silver medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m individual medley and 50m butterfly.

Sister Lauren, 12, earned gold in the 100m and 200m breastroke. She claimed bronze in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyles.

Olympic-bound Colin Russell, 23, swam to victories in the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m freestyles as well as the 100m breaststroke. Sinead, a 14-year-old member of the national youth team, finished first in the 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m and 400m individual medley, and the 200m freestyle.

Also keying the Dolphins' showing at provincials were wins by their girls' relay teams.

The 11/12 4x200m medley relay team of Olivia Sbaraglia, Lauren Dixon, Maggie Burns and Alexandra Newton earned the top ranking in Canada with its gold-medal swim. Meanwhile, Sinead Russell, Lauren Dixon, Olivia Andersen and Jacqueline Baillie won the 13/14 4x200m medley relay by a few hundredths of a second.

The Dolphins' 13/14 freestyle relay team of Bronwyn Evans, Russell, Baillie and Andersen added silver.

The provincial team championships attracted 600 of the fastest age group swimmers in Ontario.

Swimmers from each club could participate in as many as five events in order to earn points for their team.

Russells break records

Sports

Mar 09, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

The Russell siblings continue to break provincial swimming records.

Sinead Russell, 14, recently set new Ontario standards in the 100-metre and 200m backstroke events at the Senior Canadian Eastern National Championships in Etobicoke. She won bronze in the 100m backstroke and added a silver in the 50m backstroke.

Older brother Colin, a senior national team member, posted the eighth-fastest 200m freestyle time in the world so far this year. He is currently preparing for the Olympic Trials.

Both are members of the Dolphins Swim Club.

Small group produces big results

Sports

May 17, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

The Dolphins Swim Club averaged nearly six medals per swimmer that competed in the East Side Mario's Invitational meet last weekend in Sudbury.

Seven Dolphins athletes combined to win 39 medals, including 28 gold, and set 10 club records. Cammille Maisonnueve was named the top 13- and 14-year-old distance freestyle swimmer at the meet, while Olivia Andersen (14), Lauren Dixon (12) and William Dixon (10) took the top sprinter awards for their respective age gropus.

William Dixon won seven gold, finishing first in the 50-metre, 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m and 200m backstroke, and the 50m and 100m butterfly.

Conor Russell, 11, won gold in the 400m and 800m freestyle, the 200m butterfly, the 200m backstroke and the 400m individual medley. He added silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley events.

Lauren Dixon was victorious in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle as well as the 100m and 200m breaststroke. She also earned silver medals in the 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 50m butterfly competitions.

Andersen struck gold in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, while Catia Almeida took 30 seconds off her 800m freestyle time to win that event.

Dolphins swimmers won three of the eight high-point trophies awarded during the weekend.

Sweet 16 for Dolphins

Sports

Jul 19, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

One of the smallest swim teams in the country could make a big splash at next week's age group nationals in Calgary.

The Dolphins Swim Club will send 16 swimmers to the all-Canadian meet, representing 40 per cent of its membership. Included in that group are several potential medalists.

Sinead Russell, who recently set a national record in the under-14 girls' age group, is expected to contend for national gold. Other medal contenders are Maggie Burns, Lauren Dixon and Cole Van Ommen.

Sinead and her Olympic-bound brother, Cameron Russell, combined to win five medals at the recent Open Buffalo International swim competition.

Sinead won gold in the 200-metre freestyle and 200m individual medley while adding a silver in the 800m freestyle. Cameron, 20, took bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle events.

The Russells were not the only Dolphins to earn medals at the meet.

Sinead shines at swim meet

Sports

Aug 20, 2008

Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend

While her brother Colin was preparing for his Olympic swimming debut, Sinead Russell was busy representing Canada at the North American Challenge Cup in Edmonton earlier this month.

Russell set North American Challenge Cup records in the 100-metre and 200m backstroke events on her way to eight gold medals and a silver at the event. She also set four new Dolphins Swim Club records.

Russell won the 100m and 800m freestyles, the 100m and 200m backstrokes and the 200m individual medley, adding silver in the 200m freestyle. She was also part of three gold medal-winning relay teams.

The Dolphins Swim Club finishes the season with four national record-setters, 12 provincial record-setters and a member at the Olympics.