2009 Best Performers

200 METRES BREASTSTROKE

#	Country		Time	Name	IPS	Meet
1		CAN	2:17.50	Pierse, Annamay	1012	CANSCMAR
2		AUS	2:18.26	Jones, Leisel	1004	VICSCJUL
3		JPN	2:18.64	Kaneto, Rie	1000	JPOPNFEB
4		AUT	2:19.23	Jukic, Mirna	994	AUTTMDEC
5		JPN	2:19.52	Tamura, Nanaka	991	JPOPNFEB

Swimming Canada have made the following announcement:

Olympic Bronze Medalist Ryan Cochrane and Beijing Finalist Annamay Pierse were awarded the Omega Swimmers of Year title tonight during Swimming Canada’s annual Big Splash Awards Gala in Toronto.  Paralympic Swimmers Valerie Grand’Maison and Benoit Huot also received the prestigious Team Aquatic Supplies Swimmers with a disability of the Year award for their outstanding showing during the Paralympic Games.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award especially during an Olympic Year,” said Ryan Cochrane.  Before the awards gala presentation began, over 200 swimmers, coaches, parents and volunteers sat on the edge of their seat as they viewed a 10-minute video on Canada’s highlight moments in the pool for 2008.  Following this heart pumping presentation, Canada’s Olympic bronze medalist Ryan Cochrane took the podium and inspired the room with his words.

“To get an opportunity to speak in front my peers and inspire young ones to come after us veterans was just icing on the cake for me tonight,” added Cochrane.

Annamay Pierse’s high-energy personality bode well with co-MC Benoit Huot’s charismatic charm as they lead the evening with great stories of how Canada battled their way through the water in Beijing.   Special presentations were made to Swimmers and Coaches for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2007-08 season.

“I was so excited to receive the Top female of the year award,” said a smiling Pierse who is originally from Edmonton, AB.  “My coach Jozseph and I worked so hard at perfectioning my stroke in the past year that it all paid off.  I’m so pumped to get in and make the World Championships Team next summer.”

The Canadian Paralympic swim team completed the Games in Beijing with 23 medals (seven gold, seven silver and nine bronze).  Top honors were presented to Benoit Huot and Valerie Grand’Maison of Montreal.

“Competing at my 3rd Paralympic and finishing with 4 bronze medals around my neck was a great feeling.  I’m truly honored to receive such a award and co-host the Big Splash Gala,” said Benoit Huot. 

Grand’Maison collected an impressive assortment of hardware during the Games.   With 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze, this 19-year-old swimmer with a visual impairment wowed fans during the Games.  “I was the underdog coming into the Paralympic Games in Beijing.  Now that the world has seen what I can do, they will be trying to catch up to me.  I’m really motivated about surprising the World again by going faster,” said Grand’Maison.

The 2008 Big Splash Awards Gala ended with a walk down memory lane, as Swimming Canada presented a video reel of great Canadian swimming moments as part of it’s 100 year anniversary celebration.

“It’s now time for you (pointing at all the swimmers in attendance) to add your mark to our history,” said Swimming Canada CEO and National Coach Pierre Lafontaine.  “Go Canada Go!”

Male Swimmer of the Year: Ryan Cochrane, Island Swimming

CSCTA Male Coach of the Year: Randy Bennett

CSCTA Female Coach of the Year: Jozsef Nagy, Vancouver National Training Centre