A Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club swimmer is heading to Swimming Canada’s Canadian Age Group Championships on July 29 in Québec City.
Abigail McDonald, 14, of Elora is heading to the championships to compete in eight events.
Abigail has been swimming since she was a toddler, attending swimming lessons, and then competing with the Fergus Flippers. A coach with the Fergus Flippers encouraged her to try out for the Guelph Marlin swim team in order to be more competitive.
“I did swimming lessons…I really liked it a lot and I seemed to have a good feel for it so they put me into Fergus Flippers and I was with them for about two years and then I really enjoyed it after that and I felt like I needed more of a challenge so I went to Guelph and I’ve been there for five years,” said McDonald.
Abigail has been to provincials in the past and said the provincial standard times are challenging. She just attended Swim Ontario’s Age Group Provincials in Ottawa on July 3, meeting the provincial standard times in eight competitions.
“It was fun,” she said.
Her mother Camille McDonald, who works with the swim club, said, “She is being very humble. She won five medals; four bronze and a silver.”
Abigail received silver in the 200m backstroke and bronze in the 100m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley.
However, Abigail has never attended a national competition. She will be competing against the best in Canada in her age group later this month.
“A little (nervous), but I’m excited,” she said.
Abigail spends 12 hours a week in the pool, training for competitions. She also spends three hours a week training on dry land, working her core, weight lifting and cardio training.
She is starting Grade 9 next year and she says it is difficult to juggle her time between school and the pool.
“You just have to manage your time really well and be really organized,” said Abigail.
She just loves to swim.
“I really like to compete and race against people. It’s really good for your team. You all get to be there together and cheer each other on.”
She has Olympic dreams and she will be attending the Pan Am Games in Toronto to watch swimming events.
