OFSAA bronzes for Eagles swimmers

 East Elgin's Woolley in 14U girls IM and the 14U boys medley relay place third

 Parkside Stampeders McCaw finishes career with PB in 50 fly A final

  March 4, 2025

By Rob J. Ross

TORONTO, Ont. - Five East Elgin Eagles swam to a pair of OFSAA bronze medals.

The Eagles junior boys 200-metre medley relay team of Owen Charlton, William Van Hooren, Chael Otter and Eric Buro, captured a bronze medal on day one of OFSAA swimming March 4th at the Pan Am Sports Complex.

On day two of the provincial high school meet, Eagles' Bridget Woolley made gains in the breaststroke leg to grab bronze in the 14U girls 100 I.M. (individual medley).

The Eagles' grade nine swimmers make an impressive debut at their first OFSAA, while senior Rosie McCaw concluded her high school career with a personal best time in an A final.

The Eagles won their relay bronze in two minutes and 14.74 seconds (2:14.74), knocking nearly two seconds off their prelim time (2:16.36) in the morning.

"We felt very happy and proud of how we swam and how we've came," said Buro, the lead swimmer. "Very unexpected. I felt so grateful and excited for the opportunity to get a medal and share it with such great people who are deserving of the medal."

The Eagles won WOSSAA gold two weeks earlier in London.

Woolley was nearly in last place before making her move during the breaststroke leg of the 100 I.M.

"I'm really happy knowing that I had been in last at the start of the race, but made it back up to third," Woolley said. "I knew that when it came around to breaststroke, I could gain on the other people. I was doing my favourite stroke."

Woolley set a PB time of 1:17.80 capturing her bronze, in a race that also had Dorchester's Katie Dimitroff placing fourth (1:18.40) and Eagles Emily Weninger, ninth (1:21.36).

"It was very exciting and didn't feel real, because I had been seeded seventh going in to the day. It was very exciting to share the final race with Katie and Emily who also had great days," Woolley said. "I would say that it was an amazing experience and it would rank number one so far in all of my sports accomplishments.

Dimitroff was one of three Dorchester Beavers at OFSAA.

"Overall it was a really great race with an amazing outcome. My strokes felt smooth and my kick really strong. The final race felt better than my prelims, so I was thrilled when I saw my time. It was a PB, so that just added to the excitement," Dimitroff said. "It's definitely a race that I will remember. Probably my best race all season. This is probably pretty high up on my list of accomplishments because is my first time swimming at a provincial level."

Weninger also set a PB in the race.

"Honestly I was just thinking just got to go, go hard," Weninger said. "It's nice being in a pool that so many records have been set in by Olympians. That's really cool."

   Parkside Stampeders Alexis Gray, left, and Rosie McCaw, both at their third OFSAA for swimming. (photo / Rob J. Ross

Exceptionally cool is Rosie McCaw concluding her career with a PB swim of 32.79 seconds, in the 50 fly, finishing eighth in the senior girls A final.

"I had no ideal I would be at this many OFSAAs. It's actually my fifth one in total, with rugby," said the multi sport star. "I'm very lucky to be here and it's such a great opportunity. I'm trying to have as much fun as I can at my last OFSAA."

Two years ago, McCaw was the junior women's 100-metre individual medley OFSAA champion and just missed a second medal, finishing fourth in the 50 meter back. A year ago, McCaw won the B final for the senior girls 50 fly. Due to sickness, McCaw could not swim the 100 I.M.

"Last year was really special because we had a lot of Parkside swimmers," said McCaw of favourite OFSAA memories. "I think spending time with each other here is really fun. Also getting to see my former club swimmers from the Arrows and at East Elgin and from different schools."

Rosie followed in the footsteps, or strokes, of older sister, Briar.

"She made it to OFSAA too, I think every year, but didn't medal like her sister," laughed Rosie.

Along with Woolley, Dimitroff, Weninger and McCaw, 15 individuals and three relay teams were in the pool at OFSAA.

Parkside Stampeders Alexis Gray and East Elgin Eagles Lauren Collard, were making their third OFSAA appearances, but didn't have the results hoped for.

Gray battled a sickness in recent weeks, keeping her out of the pool.

"I had three weeks off and I couldn't train," said Gray, who placed 32nd, in senior girls 100 free (1:09.66). "It's not what I wanted."

Gray had a pair of top 12 finishes in 2023, sixth in the girls 14U 50 back (35.70 sec.) and 12th in the 50 free (31.68 sec.).

"It's a big accomplishment that's for sure," Gray said. "Not everyone gets to go to OFSAA, especially with a teammate (McCaw) for three years in a row. It's been great, but it's sad it's ending."

Collard placed 66th in senior girls 100m breast (1:38.12), ending a season where the Grade 11 student had to overcome two shoulder injuries.

At his fifth OFSAA, St. Joe's Diego Alban-Gasca placed ninth in para men's 50 back and 17th, in the 50 free.

Local results

Isabelle Patterson, St. Thomas resident with Banting, open girls, 24th, 200 free, DQ, 100 back

Ava Ridley, Dorchester, 27th, 14U 100 free (1:14.64)

Claira Fletcher, Dorchester, DQ, 14U 100 I.M.

William Van Hooren, East Elgin, DQ, DQ, 14U boys 100 free, 34th, senior 200 free (2:33.85)

Owen Charlton, East Elgin, 14U boys, 27th, 200 free (2:31.00), 21st, 100 free (1:07.40)

Eric Buro, East Elgin, 29th, senior 100 back (1:16.45)

Carter Morrison, Parkside, 40th, 14U 50 back (39.19 sec.)

Mariska Buro, East Elgin, 41st, senior 100 breast (1:33.02)

Eagles 14U girls medley relay, 11th (Andi, Woolley, Weninger, Bella Staulbaum) 2:31.74

Eagles 15 years over / senior 200 medley relay, 30th (Collard, Ava Campbell, Buro, Weninger)

        rob@hometownplay.ca

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