3 Warriors Make Us Proud at the 2022 Canadian Junior Swimming Championships

During the week of July 25-31, three Warriors made their debut at the Canadian Junior Swimming Championships. Led by Head Coach Russ Franklin, Jessica Dreghici, Elizabeth Coode and Cameron Morrissey showed their competitive grit as they raced against some of the best age-group swimmers in the country. Here are some highlights of the week at the majestic Olympic Park Sports Centre in beautiful Montreal.

Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Coode established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the butterfly events this season. Coming in with incredible performances at the Provincials, she fought through first day prelim jitters at the Jr Nationals to qualify for the B-Finals in the 13-14 Girls 100m Butterfly and finished 16th overall. After a couple of days off racing, Elizabeth kick-started Thursday morning for CW with an impressive swim to make the A-Finals in the 200m Butterfly. She would cap her season with a brilliant finals, clipping 1.5 seconds off her personal best time to take 6th overall. Way to represent, Elizabeth!

For 14-year-old Cameron Morrissey, his entrance into the national stage would prove to be a character-building experience. After a very strong Provincials showing, he had high aspirations for the 4 events he qualified for at the Jr Nationals. But as life would have it, Cam did not post any best times in his first 3 races, and he felt the sting of disappointment after each one, especially after his 400 IM. The fact that all his race times so far (while not a PB) had met CJC qualifying standards did not lessen the hurt. As his mom, it was hard to see him struggle through his different emotions. Kids in competitive sports learn hard lessons in perseverance and resiliency early — they learn to take, not only the wins, but also the losses like a champion. The day after his 400 IM, Cam came back to the pool to cheer on his teammate and practice hard. He was determined to be more prepared for his last race of the season and his positivity and resolve would carry him through. On the final day of the CJC, with Coach Russ’s guidance, Cameron shaved 9.42 seconds off his personal best time to finish 13th in the 14-15 Boys 1500m Freestyle (4th of all 14-year-old boys). Proud of you, buddy!

Fifteen-year-old Jessica Dreghici was a standout at the Jr Nationals. She opened the week with a stellar Junior Canadian Trials qualifying 400m Freestyle, finishing 14th overall in the 15-17 age group. She would then follow it up by smashing the CW club record and Senior Trials standards on her way to finishing 8th overall in the 1500m Freestyle. Only one other 15-year-old finished ahead of her. Jessica closed the season with a strong 800m Freestyle, placing 14th overall (4th of all 15-year-old girls)! Training continues through the summer for Jessica as she now prepares to represent Canada at the 2022 FINA World Junior Open Water Championships in the fall.

Congratulations to Elizabeth, Cameron and Jessica on a fantastic CJC and 2021/22 season. You’ve made us all very proud. Thanks to Coach Russ for his commitment to getting our kids primed and ready to take on the challenges of this highly competitive meet and to all the emails and messages of support from the CW families following along from afar. We heard all your cheers loud and clear in Montreal! See you in a few weeks when the 2022/23 season begins.

The meets are long, but the seasons go by in a flash. Enjoy your journey with your swimmers.