A pair of local swimmers are taking on the best in the province, and claiming their spot on the podium.
Sophie Rix, 12, and Ben Guerriero, 17, are both athletes with the Muskoka Aquatic Club (MUSAC) who have recently earned medals at the highest levels of competition in the province.
For Rix, a backstroke specialist from Bracebridge, 2023 has been a banner year thus far. She’s accumulated multiple top-three finishes while smashing club records along the way.
Competing in the Huronia Region Short Course Championships at the end of January, Rix won five gold medals, two silvers and a bronze medal for individual events including her 100m backstroke and made an Ontario Swimming Championship record time, breaking the MUSAC club record.
She then attended the Ontario Festival Championships, winning gold in the 100m backstroke and breaking her own club record with a time of 1.10.46. It’s straight back to training for Sophie as the team prepares for the long course season (50m).
Guerriero also won multiple medals at Huronia Regional Championships on his way to qualifying for the Ontario Youth Junior Championships, which took place last month in Etobicoke.
For the first time in his career, he landed on the podium in not one, but two events, winning bronze medals in 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke.
MUSAC coach Heather Lee says Guerriero’s achievements are even more remarkable considering his future in the sport seemed in doubt following a lengthy Covid layoff.
“Program and pool closures due to COVID hijacked his plans and he lost more than two years of training and racing at a pivotal time in his development. Like many other athletes in his position, he was left feeling like his love of the sport had faded,” says Lee. “Although he continued to train whenever possible through the uncertainty, he returned to racing without the same spark. After a taste of success at the end of last season, Ben returned to the pool in September with a renewed drive and excitement for swimming.”
As the weeks rolled on, Guerriero’s commitment and intensity in training increased exponentially, says Lee.
“I kept raising the bar in practice and he kept meeting, then exceeding my expectations,” she says. “I’m humbled by his perseverance and overjoyed by his accomplishments. I can’t wait to see what else he can accomplish this season.”
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