Wallaceburg’s Madison Broad wrapped up her first-ever experience at the Olympic Trials on Sunday evening in Toronto, with an appearance in the ‘B’ final of the 200-metre backstroke.
The 15-year-old Chatham Y Pool Sharks swimmer finished in 10th place in her final swim with a time of 2:19.40.
In the preliminary round, she had a personal best time of 2:17.08.
While Broad’s attempt at cracking the Canadian team for the upcoming Rio Olympics fell short, that didn’t deter the positive feedback from her family, friends and the whole community.
“Great work Maddy Broad! What an experience! We’ve loved watching and cheering you on!” wrote Diane Daniels-Gillis on the Madison Broad Fan Club page on Facebook.
“Chatham Kent is so proud,” Chris Couture wrote.
“Good swims Maddy Broad! Proud to see Wallaceburg at trials!!” wrote Anette Nossiter.
Broad also placed in 6th place in the ‘B’ final of the 100-metre backstroke on Wednesday evening.
She finished with a time of 1:02.93 placing her 16th in the event.
Her coach Kyle Pinsonneault told the Sydenham Current the experience for Broad has been great.
“This is Maddy’s first Olympic trials and her first Olympic trials final,” he said.
“This is an amazing experience for her as she is only 15 years old and now will have four years to learn and experience more to be ready for 2020. Again, I am one proud coach on how she has done thus far.”
– Photo from Facebook
