Shona Branton, a senior Wallaceburg District Secondary School swimmer and multiple OFSAA medalist, has committed to swim for the University of Western Ontario.
Nancy Schinkelshoek, the coach of Wallaeburg Tartans Swim Team, said in an email to the media that Branton recently signed her intent to attend the London, Ontario university and has been selected as a member of their swim team.
Schinkelshoek said Branton started swimming at the age of five on the Wallaceburg Marlins Swim Team.
“She has been dedicated to her sport ever since,” Schinkelshoek said.
After much success with the Marlins, Shona transferred to the Sarnia Rapids Swim Team at age 12. As a member of the Rapids, she has seen a great deal of opportunity to continue to grow in her sport.”
She has been a member of the WDSS Swim team since Grade 9 as well, Schinkelshoek added.
“She now holds many meet records, has earned medals at OFSAA and is nationally ranked in the breast stroke,” Schinkelshoek said.
“She will continue to train with the Sarnia Rapids until she heads off to Western.”
Just before March break, the University of Western Ontario’s swim coach, Paul Midgley travelled to WDSS to present Branton with her official Western swim cap.
“He told us that Western has a tradition of swimmers wearing the school flag when they earn a spot on the podium,” Schinkelshoek said.
“As he draped her in the flag, he stated that he ‘certainly expects to see Shona wearing it many times during her years as a Mustang Swimmer’.”
Earlier this month, Branton clicnhed her third-straight OFSAA medal in as many years.
She captured a bronze medal in Grade 10, a gold medal last year and now she has a completed her collection with a silver medal in Grade 12.
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