Swimmers Head to OFSSA
Thanks to the initiative and leadership of Head Boy Conor Commons, the College has its first swim team in decades. The first season was a success, with six CISAA medals and six boys heading to OFSAA.
Brothers Justin and Matt Anderson, Spencer Canavan, Conor Commons, Andrew Leishman and Jack Pollack all qualified for the provincial championships.
“I’m really proud of this team,” said coach Greg Seale. “Everybody improved from the beginning of the season. Even the guys who finished in 11th and 14th place all did personal bests.”
Perhaps the best story is the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay, lead by Justin and anchored by his brother Matt. The boys not only qualified for OFSAA with their race, but they won the gold medal.
“Two of the guys on that relay team didn’t know how to do flip turns when we started in November,” said Mr. Seale. “Conor, David Fitzpatrick and I worked with them and look at the result we got.”
Matt, Grade 12, hadn’t swam competitively since Grade 8, but emerged as one of the core swimmers on the team, bringing home two golds and one silver from CISAA. He and his younger brother Justin, Grade 10, qualified for four OFSAA events, but are only allowed to compete in three.
“I looked up last year’s winning times and figured out what I would have the best shot at winning,” said Matt. “So I’m scrapping the backstroke and will swim the 100m and the 200m freestyle. And the relay, of course.”
Both Matt and Mr. Seale commented on the small number of swimmers on the team compared to other schools.
“We’re small but mighty – that just sums us up,” said Matt. “Going up against UCC and SAC, we sent nine or 10 guys compared to 40, but look what we came out with. We’re a special group of guys.”
For Matt, who is graduating this year, there was also another benefit to being on the team.
“It was a nice leadership opportunity for me because I got to lead some of the practices,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll continue to swim next year and just get better.”
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Royal St. George's College is an independent school for boys located in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school admits boys from Grades 3 through 12. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each of our students to become the best version of himself.