When it comes to any goal, it’s all about how badly you want it. For EDSS students Katharine Hoffman from Maryhill and Adam Brown, setting new goals for themselves during this week’s provincial competition held at the Milton Sports Centre is what the two students plan to do. “(We) have both had a great season so far and we are hoping to continue with that success,” said Hoffman. “We are both looking to place high at the event.”
Having dominated the swimming season, Hoffman confirmed that she will swim the butterfly over 50 metres as well as the 50m freestyle, whereas Brown will be competing in the 50m backstroke.
Being in the pool has been a big part of Hoffman’s life. She began swimming at age 5, first as a synchronized swimmer and eventually found her passion for competitive racing when she attended high school. OFSAA has been one tough nut to crack for Hoffman, who has attended the competition numerous times over the years but has always been eliminated.
“Getting to OFSAA is always a really big accomplishment,” said the Grade 12 student “I just want to keep going and do really well.” Brown, a Grade 10 student, has only had one season in the pool and has impressed not only himself but his coaches as well. “I just started swimming this year and I really didn’t know what to expect,” said Brown. “I really worked on building my shoulder strength and that is where I get most of my speed from.”
The swim team has been training at the Woolwich Memorial Centre pool for an hour every Monday and Wednesday since November, with mini meets held on Thursdays.
Coaches Anne Kendall, Tory Dettwiler and Angela Zorzitto see a lot of potential from their two star athletes. “It is no surprise that (Hoffman) has once again reached OFSAA – she has been consistent through out the years,” said Kendall. “We were really blown away by (Brown) at first he was on par with everyone but then all of a sudden he just blew everyone out of the water and was clocking times that were a full six seconds faster than anyone else.”
Both students are very committed to the sport, said Kendall, attending all the practices and going above and beyond taking practices into their own hands and swimming on their own time.
“Over the Christmas break I would see them practicing in the pool; they are both determined students and know what they want to accomplish,” said Dettwiler.
The coaches feel both students have a good chance this year as Brown is still racing one or two seconds ahead of qualifying times and Hoffman placed second overall in her two events. “They both stand a great chance of placing very high in the standings this year,” said Dettwiler.
