Page 29 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 92

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Swimming with the Sea Lions: Meet the Coaches
By Victoria Klassen
ory Kyer, a coach with the
CCornwall Sea Lions Swim Club,
grew up swimming with the Sea Lions
program. As a senior swimmer, she
began coaching with the Sea Lions
before heading off to university.
Later on, when her daughters started
swimming, she decided that instead
of sitting on the sidelines, she would
get back into coaching.
Sheilagh McNeil, Head Coach of
the Sea Lions, grew up in London,
Ontario and found a passion for
distance events in swimming. After
moving to Cornwall, she joined the
Sea Lions as a coach and has been
with the program for the past eight
years.
“I had always been interested in
coaching swimming and other sports.
I helped to coach my high school
swim team and continued coaching
during university,” said McNeil. “I
am also a high school teacher and
I’ve coached cross country, track and
Sheilagh McNeil, head coach of the Sea Lions
Issue #92 September 2020 29
field, and volleyball at school.”
McNeil and Kyer both have
children who swim with the Sea
Lions.
“Sheilagh and I are fortunate enough
to have a dynamic program where we
both get to coach all swimmers in
all groups. The advantage of being a
small club is that we get to know our
swimmers really well and we have
the opportunity to work with our
own children, as well as each other’s.
This is really beneficial for our own
children as well as for the club,” said
Kyer.
McNeil expressed that as a coach
she loves seeing the relationships that
form between the swimmers.
“Swimming is a unique sport as it’s
both an individual sport—competing
for your own goals—and a team
sport. Swimmers train together,
support and push each other, but at
the end of the day they perform as
individuals. I love seeing how they
can bring out the best in each other,
challenge and push each other.”
Cory Kyer, assistant coach of the Sea Lions. Photo Chaddycreates
Brought to you by Ming & Associates
Athlete of the Month
Ethan Butler
Age: 13
Grade: 8
School: Tagwi Secondary School
Hometown: St. Andrews West
September’s Athlete of the Month, Ethan Butler, is one of four
brothers and a multi-sport athlete. He plays baseball, football,
hockey, and was set for his first lacrosse season when the
COVID pandemic hit.
Ethan is in his fourth season of competitive baseball and is
currently playing with the Cornwall Orioles. He’s a versatile
athlete, playing shortstop, second base, centre field, and pitcher. FPO
At the plate, he leads his team in homeruns. He’s admired for
his speed on the diamond.
Ethan also enjoys playing hockey for the Seaway Valley Rapids and football for the Cornwall
Wildcats. In 2019, Ethan’s Rapids team made it to the semi-final round in the Major Peewee AA
division, and he garnered ‘Most Improved Player’ honours.
Hard work and discipline are the keys to Ethan’s athletic success. His love of sports and physical
activity is well received at home. His father and three brothers - Ryan (16), Owen (11), and Logan
(10) - are all leading a sports lifestyle, thanks to sports-taxis mom and grandparents, who travel
with a truck-full of equipment. Ethan keeps busy and fit by tending to the family hobby farm, the
flock of chickens, and their 4000 square-foot garden. He can always be found in the barn shooting
pucks or practising his pitching.
Max Ming, P. Eng
Financial Planning • Investments • Insurance
613-932-7526 • Max@mingassociates.com
Photo Submitted