The Sault Surge Aquatic Team celebrated a successful 2025-26 season at their year- end awards banquet held at the Grand Gardens on June 10th.
Close to 200 swimmers, coaches, parents and other relatives were in attendance to hand out awards and enjoy a successful season that saw well over 1000 personal best times set. Over 20 new club records in all age groups have been established during this past swim season.
All swimmers from each group of the club were recognized for their individual contribution to the program.
Major Award winners from the banquet:
BOB DUMANSKI VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Shantah Kanhai-Evans
Bob Dumanski left an invaluable footprint with Sault Surge that will be appreciated for many years to come. He assisted in the club’s inception as well as its rise over the years that followed. Bob could be seen on deck volunteering his time at any opportunity provided, supporting his beloved daughter, and the team they both belonged to. His hard work and dedication were and continues to be an inspiration to many. This award is made in honour of Bob and his immense contribution to our club and community.
PULSE AWARDS: — Lucy Shaughnessy, Jeffrey Johnstone, Beth Cuglietta, Thomas Paranuik, Solomon Suraci, Maya Dukes, Quinn Hayes, Spencer Smith, Maddison Erb, Oliver Bennetto.
PULSE stands for Perseverance, Upgrowth, Leadership, Sportsmanship, Enthusiasm. Awarded to swimmers who are the heartbeat of the club, displaying the attitude/effort/respect that it takes to be a great teammate. A male and female in each group is selected by the coaching staff.
Coaches Award – Haylen Leonard and Brie Reid
This award for 13 and over swimmers is awarded to an athlete that makes a great ambassador for the team through behavior and actions that are positive, helpful, and help develop a desirable club culture.
Most Improved Swimmers – Liam Leask, Bo-William Mackay, Anna Paranuik, Harper Krmpotich, Angela Thomson, Mckenna O’Leary, Oliver Bennetto, Adam Abbasy.
The Most Improved Award is presented to swimmers based on the total percentage of improvement when comparing last season’s best times with this season’s best times. This year, the award is presented to two junior males, two junior females, two senior males, two senior females.
Outstanding Junior Performance Award – Eve Moreau and William Paranuik
The Outstanding Performance Award is awarded to a Junior Male and Female swimmer, under 12 years old. Each swimmer’s FINA points from their top five events were tabulated.
President’s Award – Sophi Li, Emma Vallee and Andrew Li
Each year the President’s Award is awarded to the top overall 13 and over aged male and female swimmer having outstanding performances throughout the year.
Dr. Hui Lee Team Spirit Award – Oliver Bennetto, Haylen Leonard, Liam Leask and Margot Oak
Dr. Hui Lee started swimming at age 6 and immediately found endless joy in the sport. To him, it was like brushing his teeth, a fundamental part of his day. As a Masters swimmer in Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Lee stepped up to coach out of necessity, but also discovered joy in helping other people swim their best. When other swimmers would park at noon and see his car in the lot, they’d brighten up and know they were in for an excellent workout because Dr. Lee was there. He had a magical way of smoothing things out, making everything okay, and that translated into his involvement with swimming. Dr. Lee would often compare team spirit to a flock of geese; they fly together, but one always leads the way, making it easier for others to follow in their path. That leader, no matter how quiet or loud, motivates teammates to be their best. Every team has a spirit, and that spirit is what keeps the team going.
This season, the Sault Surge Aquatic recognized graduating swimmers Haylen Leonard, Bernard Santos, Mia Lloyd, Tayte Borrelli with their commemorative rings for their contribution to the program.
Certificates were presented to the top 3 scoring swimmers for each age group to swimmers with the top scoring combined FINA points for the short course and long course 100m, 200m and 400m individual medley events. These individuals were recognized as Individual Medley Allstars.
Earning recognition as individual medley all stars for their respective age groups were: Anna Paranuik, Angela Thomson, Emma Vallee, Sophia Li, Madeleine Dagenais, Brie Reid, Haylen Leonard, Margot Oak, Maddi Erb, Eva Moreau, Brooklyn Barber, Jenna Morin, Sofia Naquitquitan, Tayte Borrelli, Alma Da Silva Castillejo, Skyla Hallquist, Addison Smith, Quinn Hayes, Ryelind Pihlaja, Mia Lloyd, Harper Krmpotich, Asher Leask, Spencer Smith, Judah Erickson, Elijah Erickson, Oliver Bennetto, Finn Walker, William Paranuik, Lenden Ellis, Blake Krivan, Adam Abassy, Andrew Li,
A trio of Sault Surge Aquatic Team swimmers -Andrew Li, Sophia LI, and Emma Vallee continue to train for the upcoming Ontario Swimming Championships in July.
