NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH MARLIN AQUATIC CLUB
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The Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club (GMAC) welcomed 480 local and visiting swimmers “Back on the Blocks” to compete in the club’s first multi-club swim meet since February 2020 held Dec. 3 to 5, 2021. Guelph Marlin team members competed against swimmers from four other clubs: the Halton Hills Blue Fins, Lakeshore Swim Club, Region of Waterloo, and Hamilton Aquatic Club. At the same time, in Saskatoon, Jordan Tucker, GMAC National Level Para swimmer, broke her own Canadian Record for 50 m butterfly.
“In their first competition in two years, our swimmers proved to themselves and other athletes that their potential is limitless when they put in the work, day in and day out,” said Mario Ramirez, GMAC Coach. “We’ve been working really hard this season and I couldn’t be more proud to see our athletes competing again.”
In addition to many first time races, GMAC swimmers turned in notable performances. Andrew Armstrong, Sam Eastman, Neil Atkins, Alex Gilmore, Andrea Luberti, Hannah Nordquist, Aidan D’Oliveira and Julian Twist qualified to compete in the Ontario Youth Junior Championships in March 2022. Julian Twist hit the GMAC Top 10 in the 100 and 200 metre backstroke as well as the 100 and 200 metre Individual Medley.
Dec. 3 and 4, GMAC swimmers raced against swimmers from the Region of Waterloo, Lakeshore and Halton Hills Swim Clubs. On December 5th, GMAC swimmers competed against swimmers from the Hamilton Aquatic Club. Also on December 5th, GMAC’s pre-competitive Blue Marlins and Marlins House League swimmers participated in an in-house time trial, their first meet of the year and for most, their first racing opportunity.
At the same time in Saskatoon at the Laser SC meet, GMAC National Level Para swimmer, Jordan Tucker swam the 50 metre butterfly in 53.65 seconds, shaving nearly four seconds off and breaking her own Canadian record. Tucker is expected to swim in the Can Am event 2021 US Para Swimming National Championships being held in Greensboro, North Carolina on December 17-19, 2021.
In compliance with Swim Ontario’s Back to Racing plan and covid safety protocols, GMAC is looking forward to more racing opportunities. GMAC will host its next meet, Out of the Gate
Long Course on Jan. 22, 2022 at Victor Davis Pool. GMAC Blue Marlins and Marlins House League will race again on Feb. 6 at GMAC’s Winter Skills and Thrills Meet where they will also welcome neighbouring swim clubs to compete.
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