Colton Houck leads Sarnia Rapids to strong showing at Western Regional Championships

Six Sarnia Rapids swimmers competed against more than 900 athletes in Windsor last week, with Colton Houck taking four gold medals and both he and Aili Girardi advancing to the Ontario Swimming Championships in July.

Six Sarnia Rapids swimmers travelled to Windsor earlier this month for the 2026 Western Regional Long Course Championships, competing June 4–7 against 27 teams and more than 900 swimmers from across Southwestern Ontario.

The Rapids — Aili Girardi, Colton Houck, Logan Ewart, Matteo Fanelli, Kate McEwen, and Clara McGugan — combined for 44 individual event swims, posting 23 top-10 finishes and 11 top-three results.

Colton Houck was the standout of the meet, winning gold in the 100m and 200m Freestyle, the 50m and 100m Butterfly, and the 50m Freestyle, and taking silver in the 200m Individual Medley. He also set multiple personal bests and has qualified for the Ontario Swimming Championships in Toronto this July.

Aili Girardi earned several top-five finishes, including bronze medals in both the 50m and 100m Backstroke. She will join Houck at the Ontario championships.

The rest of the Rapids contributed solid results across the board. Logan Ewart finished fifth in the 400m Freestyle and recorded several additional top-10 swims. Matteo Fanelli earned a top-10 finish in the 200m Breaststroke and posted personal best times. Kate McEwen and Clara McGugan both achieved personal bests and gained championship-level experience.

Houck and Girardi will represent Sarnia at the Ontario Swimming Championships in Toronto from July 9 to 12.