Nickel City Aquatics swimmers may have been separated physically recently, attending meets in two different cities - all of which did not stop them in the least from sharing the bond of common accomplishments.

A total of 26 NCA representatives attended NEOR #3 in North Bay, with a quartet of athletes enjoying particularly memorable meets - including siblings Owen (14) and Violet McLean (12).

Big brother led the NCA charge with no less than six podium placements while also leading the local 13-14 medley relay team to gold while Violet matched the top three showings and also hit the Ontario Age Group standard in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, narrowly missing out while racing the 200m butterfly for the very first time.

Emma Dubé (14) reeled off a string of new personal best times, good enough for gold in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke and a shared medal courtesy of a first place finish in the relays.

Stretching herself out to the 1500m distance in the freestyle for the first time in competition, Abigail Ethelston (13) also managed to touch the wall before all other competitors, joining the NCA grouping of gold medal winners.

It was a much smaller contingent of Nickel City Aquatics who would make their way to the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club Long-Course Invitational as club veteran James Mongeon broke through with a two-second PB in the 200 backstroke final, claiming gold.

Noah Snider (12) cracked the top ten in no less than five separate races, all while dropping time in each and every one of those events while Charlie Robertson (12) shone with a fifth-place finish in the 200m butterfly.

Closing off that age bracket, Sophie Stott (12) also found her way into that top ten echelon, showing very well in the 50m / 100m backstroke as well as the 100m butterfly.