Local teens make a splash at Ontario swim championships

Journal staff Two Sarnia teens made a splash at the 2023 Winter Ontario Youth-Junior Championships in Etobicoke last weekend.

Journal staff

Two Sarnia teens made a splash at the 2023 Winter Ontario Youth-Junior Championships in Etobicoke last weekend.

Aili Girardi, 13 and Matthew Kemp, 15, were the lone members of the Sarnia Rapids Swim Team to qualify for the provincial event, after posting impressive meet times earlier this year.

Girardi, a Grade 8 student at Cathcart Boulevard Public School, won silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m backstroke for her age group, and also swam the 50m freestyle.

Kemp, a Grade 10 student at St. Pat’s, swam the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the 100m breaststroke at the event.

Meanwhile, 12 members of the Sarnia Rapids Swim Team have qualified and will attend the Western Region Short Course Championships at the Canada Game Aquatic Centre in London, Ontario February 23-26.

Team members attending include Owen Blundell, Aili Girardi, Jack Girardi, Colton Houck, Daisy Jenkins, Lucas Jones, Matthew Kemp, Francesca Montanino, Ali Page, Natalie Pretty, Isabelle Robert and Allan Sunby.