WOSA Championships: Strong Performances and New Qualifications

The WOSA (Western Ontario Swim Association) Championships were held at the Canada Games Aquatic Complex in London, Ontario, with 26 clubs participating. This 3-day competition featured heats and finals for 13&O swimmers, while 12&U swimmers competed in timed finals. As the first major championship meet of the winter season, it provided an excellent opportunity for athletes to compete at a high level despite some challenging weather conditions. Leading up to the meet, workouts on Wednesday and Thursday were canceled due to the weather, and tough conditions persisted throughout the event. Despite these setbacks, the athletes rose to the challenge.

The goals for the team were to earn team points, achieve personal bests, and place in the top 8, with aspirations to reach the podium in the top 3. Many athletes also aimed for new qualifications for events like the Ontario Age Group Championships (OAGs) and Ontario Summer Championships (OSCs). For those already qualified for OAGs or OSCs, the focus was on improving previous performances. The team finished strong in 7th place overall, with many swimmers showcasing impressive individual achievements.

The team brought home a total of 49 medals, including 15 gold, 19 silver, and 15 bronze. Medalists included Cole B, Rhys B, Liam B, Finn C, Abigail C, Charlie D, Kentaro D, Sebastian F, Erin G, Nora H, Xavier H, Kate H, Joseph L, Daphne L, Sky Q, Aerowyn R, Cam S, Michael T, Madison T, Nathan W, and Evelyn W. Additionally, two swimmers, Olivier M and Nora R, met the OAG standard for the 200 back but narrowly missed the qualification deadline. Kate H and Madison T also achieved new qualifications, earning their first OSC qualification times in the 200 and 100 breast, respectively—both now just one step away from competing at the OSCs this summer.