NYAC congratulates Michelle Williams on her selection to swim for Team Canada at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Guam. 26 Canadian athletes and 11 officials and coaches are in Guam to represent Canada at the championships January 8-12, 2009.

Guam is a territory of the United States and is located in the southernmost portion of the Mariana Islands in Micronesia, halfway between Japan and Australia. The time in Guam is 15 hours ahead of EST. When it is 6:00pm in Toronto, it is 9:00am the next day in Guam.

14 Federations including Australia, Canada, People's Republic of China, Guatemala, Guam, India, Japan, Macau-China, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, New Zealand, Palau, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States, will be represented at the 2009 Junior Pan Pacific Championships. The Junior Pan Pacific events comprise all Olympic events plus the women's 1500m freestyle and the men's 800 metre freestyle.

Michelle was one of 13 female swimmers to be named to the Canadian team. Being selected to this international event is quite an accomplishment. Last summer, Michelle's combined achievements from both the Age Group Nationals and Senior Nationals were used as a basis for her selection. Michelle's time of 56.89 for the 100m Freestyle helped to secure her position on the Canadian team. As a basis for team selection, Swimming Canada determines the 12 highest ranked swimmers per gender according to the FINA point system. Michelle will be competing in her best events: the 100 and 50 Free, and 100 Fly, as well as relays. She has been looking forward to and training very hard to be race ready this week.

Michelle Williams (left) with a few other members of Team Canada at
Pearson International Airport.

She departed on December 29, 2008 and arrived in Guam via Korea, after three flights totalling 21 hours in the air. The next four days will be very grueling for Michelle. Starting this Monday she began official training and final race preparation. Thursday through Sunday this week (Jan. 8-11) the pool competition takes place and following that, on Monday, January 12, the 10 Kilometer Open Water competition takes place. Team Canada returns home on Tuesday, January 13.

NYAC wishes her the Best of Luck! We look forward to her safe return and to hear all about her travels and experiences.

Click on the link below for more information:

https://www.swimming.ca/2009JrPanPacs