St. Michael Makes Waves at ROPSAA Swim Meet

By: Venezia Vetta

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Etobicoke, ON - February 11

St. Michael’s Catholic Secondary School made a powerful splash at this year’s ROPSAA swim meet, held on Wednesday February 11th at the Etobicoke Olympium. With determination, sportsmanship, and standout performances across multiple events, the Thunder swimmers represented their school with pride.

The competition brought together talented athletes from across the region, and St. Michael’s swimmers rose to the challenge with several podium finishes and two OFSAA qualifications.

Podium Highlights

Thunder Swimmers delivered unforgettable performances, showcasing grit, hardwork, and school pride in every race. Their hard work throughout the season paid off with several standout finishes and OFSAA‑qualifying swims.

Isabella Lledo Isabella delivered a strong and steady performance, securing a well‑earned 3rd place spot in the Junior Girls 200m Freestyle event. 

Like his sister, Noah Lledo also reached the podium earning 3rd place in his event. He powered through the Open Boys 100m Breaststroke showcasing his talent in a competitive event. 

Amanda Gallese placed top three in two of her events! She came second in the Junior Girls 50m Breaststroke and came first in the Open Girls 100m Individual Medley. Her outstanding performance in the 100m IM earned her a qualification time for OFSAA, making a huge achievement for her and the team.

Kalhi Nivins competed in Open Girls 100m Breaststroke and Open Girls 100m Freestyle. She dominated both of her events, capturing double first place wins and qualifying for OFSAA! Her amazing victories label her as St. Michael’s strongest contenders!

Continue to cheer on Kalhi and Amanda as they take the pool on March 3-4 in the OFSAA competition!

Celebrating The Team

While not every swimmer took home a medal, every member of the St. Michael’s team contributed to the energy, sportsmanship, and spirit that defined the day. Their dedication in training, support for one another, and resilience in the pool were just as important as the podium finishes. The school community applauds each athlete for representing St. Michael’s with heart and determination and stands Thunder proud!

A Thank‑You to Our Supporters

The team extends heartfelt gratitude to coaches Ms. Nahirniak and Ms. Kiss, whose guidance, encouragement, and hours of preparation made this season possible. Special thanks also go to the bus drivers who safely transported the team on the Thunder Bus - an essential part of getting the swimmers to the starting blocks! The Thunder swim team sends out a big thank you for the staff's commitment in making this season one to remember!

Looking Ahead

With OFSAA taking place on March 3-4, the Thunder community awaits to see Amanda and Kalhi represent St.Michael’s on the provincial scale. Stay tuned to see the results of these amazing swimmers!