National gold for masters swimmers Oakville's Petra Haneberry and Carolina Lleras both won gold medals at the recent Canadian Masters Swimming Championships in Etobicoke. The meet attracted more than 600 swimmers from across the country. Haneberry competed in the 40-45 age category and was just 1.04 seconds away from the Ontario division record with a time of 33.95 in the 50-metre backstroke. She competed in seven individual events, winning two silver, two bronze and two fourths in addition to the gold. "Maybe aging isn't so bad," she said. "I swam times that I have not done in over seven years." Lleras, a butterfly and distance specialist, missed much of the season with an injury. She won the 100-metre butterfly in the 45-49 age group in her last of seven individual events. She also took bronze in the 50m fly. Both swimmers train and compete with the Burlington Masters Swim Club. At these championships, the team ranked fifth among 105 clubs from across Canada. The coaching of Mark Grodsky is one reason for the swimmers' success. Haneberry, a long-time Oakville resident, has a long history of successful competition. She began as an age-group swimmer in Sudbury, carried on at McMaster University, and after taking only a few years off, joined the Burlington Masters Swim Club, competing at both provincial and national masters championships almost every year. A highlight of her swimming career was her top 10 finish in all three backstroke events at the FINA World Masters Championships in 2014. Lleras also leads an active life outside of the pool being a broker account manager. She grew up in Venezuela, where she was the first woman to win the Orinico River Crossing three straight years. At the 2014 masters worlds she finished 10th in the 400m free and ninth in the 800m free. Three other Oakville residents competed at Petra Haneberry (top) and Carolina Lleras were nationals for BMSC. Dave Richards won five gold medal winners at the Canadian Masters Swim silver medals in the 70-74 age category while Championships in Etobicoke. Janice Barker competed in the 40-45 division | photo submitted and Mike Cudmore swam in the 55-59 age group. Haneberry and Lleras have both served on the BMSC executive, with Haneberry the club president for a total of five years and served in one capacity or another each of the past 14 years. Lleras has been treasurer for the past two years. "The club is like family," Haneberry said. "I have made lifelong friendships with many different people that I cherish. After a long day at work and then shuffling kids around, there is something comforting about heading to the the pool, seeing friendly faces and spending an hour doing something just for me. And of course, the swim meets -- watching teammates swim best times or win medals -- is the best part of all." The club welcomes all levels of swimmers, many of whom love to compete. 47 | Thursday, June 9, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com minOr Oaks hOckey assOciatiOn (4 year olds, 2012 birth year in 2016/17 season) jr. timbits new this fall Evaluation Skates October 15-16, 2016 Season starts October 22, 2016 Gala Day March 5, 2017 players On ice Once/week Saturday Mornings price $249 OptiOn tO purchase equipment packages protective package includes shoulder, elbow, neck, mouth, shin pads, pants, bag. $49. full package includes Protective package, skates, stick and helmet. $99. OAKVILLE SOCCER CLUB Equipment will be fully fitted through Corbett's Source for sports. MOHA is a member association of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. All coaches are OMHA certified. Week Three Photo Contest Winner: Photographer: Elena Gormley Age Division: GU9 HLDP SPRAY NINE · Have FUN! Play Hockey! Learn the FUNdamentals! · Professionally trained instructor overseeing the program · NHL themed teams · Questions? Please call the MOHA 905-338-9220 Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club Sponsored by: Registration forms available online at www.moha.ca