The CFB North Bay Thunderbirds hosted the NEOR #3 - Paula Palangio Memorial Swim Meet this past weekend.
This short course event draws competitive swimmers from select clubs across the Northeast.
The meet is named after Paula Palangio, a former parent, volunteer and director that dedicated herself to the club, swimming and to Northeastern Ontario Region (NEOR) activities.
Paula Palangio’s husband Robert and son, Andrew were in attendance for the opening ceremony and were presented with a plaque honouring and acknowledging the contributions of their wife and mother.
The swim club was honoured to have Colonel H.M. Smith, 22 Wing Commander, kick off the event. Col. Smith commented on the hard work that is required to host a swim meet recalling on his own experience as a parent when his son swam for the Thunderbirds. CFB 22 Wing Band Brass Quintet performed an outstanding version of the National Anthem as part of the opening ceremonies.
Thunderbird swimmers that took home first place finishes at the event include Timothy Corbeil, Trael Daly Stevens, Samuel Denomme, Sydney Doidge, Melody Farrell, Elle Louise George, Jesse Hammond, Evan Kilroy, Sheldon Kilroy, Rachelle Ouellette, Cole Paralovos, Riley Periard, Drew Sinclair, Olivia Trottier and Jenna Wall.
Second place positions were achieved by Abigail Betsill, Zachary Boucher, Leah Chirico, Michael Denomme, Lindsay Greig, Emilia Lainevool, Jaiden Paralovos, Ryleigh Paralovos.
Abigail Crewson, Myles Denomme Annika Lainevool, Sydney Laughren, Kiara Palavicino, Noah Papatheodoro, Peyton Paralovos, Madeline Tanner, Isabella Trottier, and Gavin Wall earned at least one top eight finish. All swimmers posted personal best times in at least one event over the weekend.
The T-Bird relay teams excelled at the event with the 11-12 year old girls, 13-14 year old girls, 13-14 year old boys and 15 year old and over boys earning 1st place in their 4 x 50 medley relay, while the 11-12 year old girls, 11-12 year old boys, 15 and over girls and 15 and over boys captured the win in their respective 4 x 50 free relay events.
