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Sports is 'necessity for kids', Olympic champ says Continued from page 24 25 · Friday, August 17, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com WATER WORLD: feels honoured to be involved. "This gives kids something to work toward, it helps keep them motivated and passionate about sports." When asked about the reluctance of some low-income families to seek financial help for their kids' sporting endeavours, MacLennan offered an understanding response. "I wouldn't want to tell people what to do, but I'd say sports really is a necessity for kids, when you think of the social skills and values it can instill," said MacLennan, who drew a lot of inspiration from her grandfather, who was set to compete at the 1940 Olympics in gymnastics before the Second World War nixed that. "What you get from sports as a kid are way beyond the experiences you get without them. Hopefully all that outweighs parents' pride in using a program like this." Rounding out yesterday's line-up at Rattlesnake Point were bronzemedal swimmer Richard Weinberger and former Olympians Nicole Forrester (high jump), Ken Pereira (field hockey) and Anson Henry (sprinter). -- Steve LeBlanc can be followed on Twitter @MiltonOnSports Oakville resident Rob Kent (yellow swim cap) is surrounded by only support boats and water as he swims across Lake Ontario. The 47-year-old successfully crossed from Port Dalhousie to Oakville, finishing in 20 hours, 53 minutes, to become the 51st ever to cross the lake. PHOTO SUBMITTED Seven LOST swimmers attempting crossings in August Continued from page 24 to Lake Ontario as a place to train for his attempt to cross the English Channel. After realizing how much he enjoyed swimming in the lake, Kent began the Lake Ontario Swim Team (LOST) that started as a handful of triathletes. Today, the club is more than 200 strong, featuring swimmers of all ages and abilities who meet each Saturday morning to swim along Oakville's scenic shoreline. LOST also holds an annual 3.8-kilometre race (the swim distance in the Ironman competitions) and the Masters Swimming Canada 10K national championship. Kent is just one of seven LOST members who have attempted or will attempt to cross Lake Ontario this month. Oakville resident Madhu Nagaraja successfully crossed earlier this month while Francois Hamel had to be pulled out of the water due to shoulder injuries. Michele Benoit, Amanda Kelessi, Annaleise Carr and Colleen Shields will try their crossings later this month. Swimming across Lake Ontario didn't all of a sudden get easier. Kent said the high number of attempts this year is simply due to increased interest in swimming in the lake, thanks to the LOST club. "The thing I'm probably most proud of is how we've essentially brought back the golden days of swimming in Lake Ontario. It's just cool that we've created a place and a group and have enough momentum to keep the whole thing going," Kent said. "I started LOST, but it only grew because people wanted it. Now that LOST is as big as it is, people want to come here and want to do this." -- Jon Kuiperij can be followed on Twitter @Beaversports Sandra Post honoured for golf achievements and service Oakville native Sandra Post was recently presented with the Dick Grimm Award in recognition for her lifetime achievement and service to golf in Canada. The award is presented annually by the Golf Journalists Association of Canada and alternates yearly between a media and non-media person. Post was the first Canadian to ever win a golf major, winning the LPGA Championship in 1968 six months after turning pro. At age 20, she was also the youngest player to win an LPGA major event, a mark that stood for nearly 40 years. During Post's 17-year career on the LPGA Tour, she won eight official and two unoffical tournaments while finishing second more than 20 times. She was the LPGA's rookie of the year in 1968 and finished second on the money list in 1979. Following Post's LPGA Tour career, she launched a highly-successful golf school, captained Canada's Nation's Cup team, mentored young players, helped design clubs for women, served as a commentator for televised golf events and has written for several magazines. Post has been inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. In 2003, she became a member of the Order of Canada. Cricket players set provincial record for opening runs Two Oakville Cricket Academy players recently set a provincial record as the first two batsmen from the same team to score a century in the first inning. The opening partnership of Ibtehaj and Ritesh, both 17, struck for 248 runs in a junior under-19 Toronto District Cricket League (TDCL) contest against the Rexdale Blasters. Oakville, in its first season in the TDCL, also set a provincial record with its 294 runs for three wickets in 20 overs. Go ahead, make your day! FREE! OAKVILLE'S NEWEST REAL ICE TRAINING FACILITY COMING SEPTEMBER 2012 RegisteR start sh today, o & We'll s pping. hip it FUTURE STARS LEAGUE $ FOR AGES 4 -7 BERGERON Additional Features: · Skill Development Classes Register online · Private Lessons www.cehockey.ca · 905-901-5114 · Team Sessions 1130 Speers Road, Oakville · Rentals 499 Head Instructor JASON