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Wednesday, December 27, 2006 · Page 13 Swimmer goes for gold BY FREE PRESS STAFF EDHS grad Kyle Pinsonneault is hoping to make it to the Olympic Grand Nationals next year after earning three high rankings on the American college swimming circuit. Earlier this month, the 20-year-old student of Union College in Kentucky, earned a 10th place finish in the 50-metre freestyle event, 15th in the 100-metre freestyle and 19th in the 200-metre freestyle during an NAIA swimming competition. He'd like to slightly improve his time in the 50metre freestyle event to give him a better shot during the Canadian Olympic trials held in Montreal in April. His competition time for the 50-yard freestyle was just over 22 seconds. He'd like to shave off about 1/1000 of a second. "That's nothing," he said. "That's a matter of growing my fingernails." Pinsonneault has competed in such meets as the Canadian Nationals, the Senior Canadian Provincials and qualified for the NAIA Division 1 Swimming Nationals in Texas. He received a swimming scholarship to Union College after his first year in school at Seneca College in Toronto. He has worked with Olympic coaches and says he is currently training hard for the Montreal trials. "Right now it's anybody's game," Pinsonneault said. Pinsonneault was born in Chatham and later moved to Essex where he attended Maplewood Public School. Kyle Pinsonneault, pictured above and right, is currently training for the Canadian Olympic trials to be held in Monreal in April 2007. EDHS junior basketball player nabs league MVP SWEET SUCCESS Midget Major CAW Club 200 Essex Midget Majors hosted Southpoint Capitols Hockey Club. Southpoint scored first middle of the first period but with only seconds left Dan Bacon scored a beautiful goal assisted by Mike Ouellette to tie it up at one all. In the second period Southpoint scored three unanswered goals to take a commanding 4-1 lead. This was done by hard-hitting, intense hockey leaving Essex scrambling on the ice. Then in the third period Essex showed a glimpse of ­ EDHS Grade 9 student Kelsey Balkwill displays her recently earned Windsor District Basketball Referees Association Junior Player of the Year Award with coaches Kathy Corchis and Dave Harrison. Averaging about 14 points per game, Balkwill helped lead the EDHS junior girls' team to the AAA/AAAA WECSSAA championship last month when they defeated St. Anne's. brilliance with goals scored by forward Nick Fournier assisted by Mike Sauve, and Lucas Gallant assisted by Josh Klein. Unfortunately this was not enough and Southpoint finished the game with a goal by Shane Vienneau, ending the game at a 5-3 loss for the Ravens. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Essex Midget Major Hockey Club, staff and parents. Good luck at the Silver Stick Tournament in Petrolia, boys. Correction ­ A photo of Tanner Gallant was misidentified on page 18 of last week's edition. Wishing everyone a healthy, active & Happy New Year from the Department of Parks & Recreation! Performance Machine Inc. "Quality Guaranteed" WE EMPLOY The Town of Essex will start you off, 2007 tart out active S SKATING & being anily!! SWIMMING! fam FREE FREE NEW YEAR'S EVE Skate from 7:00 ­ 9:00 pm at both the Harrow and Essex Arenas & FREE NEW YEAR'S DAY SWIM from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Essex Recreation Complex. 35 Victoria Avenue, Essex, ON. 776-6761 www.siefker.com TECHNICIANS let us show you their credentials Come on! e Let's get th y whole familve up and acti in 2007! For more Recreation Program dates and times, please go to our website @ www.townofessex.on.ca All Print Classified ads appear on our website at no additional cost! www.essexfreepress.reinvented.net