Five BYST Athletes Bring Home Awards

Amherstview – Thirty athletes from the Belleville Youth Swim Team raced at the annual Ernestown Barracudas Invitational Meet over the weekend.  The competition was fierce, but the BYST managed to prevail.  The team placed fourth overall behind the host club, Upper Canada Swim Club (Brockville) and just behind the Kingston Blue Marlins.  They finished ahead of other clubs, including Swim Ottawa,Perth Stingrays, Queen’s University, Kington Y Penguins and CFB Kingston Sharks.  The team had nearly 75 percent best times and are feeling good heading into their first meet this weekend in Belleville.

Five members brought back individual high point awards for their respective age groups.  Alexander Grant took home the plaque for the top 11 and 12 males by placing first in the 50m and 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m IM, 200m butterfly, as well as second in the 200m freestyle.  Talia Pappalardo finished second amongst the 13 and 14 females to bring home a silver medal.  She placed first in the 200m and 400m freestyle, 200m breaststroke and 200m backstroke, plus she came in second in the 200m IM and 100m freestyle.  Shakil Jiwa managed to place second overall in the 13 and 14 males and also earned a silver medal. He placed first in the 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 50m and 200m freestyle.  Stephanie Cairns was the second runner up in the 13 and 14 females and received a bronze medal.  She placed first in the 50m freestyle, second in the 200 breaststroke, 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly, as well as placing third in the 200m freestyle and 200m IM.  Rafik-Alkarim Jiwa grabbed the third spot in the 11 and 12 males division and took the bronze medal. He placed first in the 100m butterfly and 200m breaststroke, second in the 200m backstroke, and third in the 200m IM, 100m and 200m freestyle.

Quite a few other BYST athletes had some impressive showings and achieved top three placing.  Ryan Jarvis received first place in the 100m IM and 200m backstroke.  Lauren Taylor won first in the 50m free and 200m IM.  Liam Jarvis won the 200m butterfly and placed third in the 400m freestyle.  Katelyn Cairns won first place in the 200m butterfly and third in the 800m freestyle.  Kaitlin Morrison won first in the 50m backstroke, placed third in the 50m butterfly and 200m backstroke.  Kira Rogers won the 100m IM.  Emily Morrison placed second in the 100m IM and 200m backstroke, as well as third in the 50m backstroke.  Melissa Dingle came in second in the 50m freestyle and third in the 100m butterfly.  Lauren Donia placed second in the 100m IM.  Isaac Jarvis swam to second place in the 400m IM.  Nate Shiers-Redhead achieved second in the 100m IM.  Kristianna Barton took third in the 100m IM.  Katherine Beaumont finished third in the 50m backstroke.  Jeremy Moher placed third spot in the 50m butterfly.  BYST swimmers with 100 percent best times included Kristianna Barton, Stephanie Cairns, Riley Donia, Alexander Grant, Mackenzie Latter, Chloe Martineau, Kira Rogers and Nate Shiers-Redhead.  Other members attending the event were Noah Brooks, Courtney Buchanan, Olivia Goyer, Matthew Horwood, Averi McMillan, Madeline McGillen, Jenna O’Neil and Elizabeth Terry.

The Belleville Youth Swim Team is back in action this Saturday, right here in Belleville!  The team will be hosting their first ever competition at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre.  Over 270 athletes from Belleville, Whitby, Ottawa, Amherstview, Picton, Port Hope and Clarington will be taking part in the first official swim meet at the brand new state of the art aquatic facility.  The B.Y.S.T. membership has grown to over 100 and two-thirds of the club will be participating at the meet.  Many teams from all over Ontario have been contacting the swim team about competing in their glorious 8-lane, 25m pool.  The meet management team has spent countless hours preparing for this exciting event!