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Pool of Fame

2013 Inductee

Competitor: BRENT HAYDEN

Brent Hayden began his competitive swimming career at the age of five, with the BCSSA's Mission Marlins. He remained in Mission Marlin for ten years. Brent won his first individual BCSSA Provincial Championship medal in 1999m at the age of 15, in the 100 metre freestyle event.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Brent's athletic achievements are, quite literally, almost too numerous to mention. He became a World Champion in the 100 metre freestyle event (in 2007), and he holds three silver World Championship medals and one bronze World Championship medal.

He was named Canadian Athlete of the Year in 2007, and won a bronze medal for Canada in the 100 metre freestyle event at the 2012 London Olympics.

At the time of his induction into BCSSA's Pool of Fame, Brent was the reigning Commonwealth Champion in the 50 metre and 100 metre freestyle events. He was also the reigning Canadian champion in the 200 metre, 100 metre, and 50 metre events for both short course (25 metre pools) and long course (50 metre pools). Brent's record in the 50 metre short course freestyle event is 21.34 seconds, and his record in the 100 metre short course freestyle event is 46.27 seconds.

Brent has been universally recognized for his dedication, preserverane, and character. He has been, and remains, true to his roots —a supporter and proponent of the BCSSA.

2012 Inductee

Newsmaker: LANDON MCGAULEY

Landon McGauley began his BCSSA career in 2001, at the age of six, as a Division 1 swimmer with the Quesnel Sea Lions. A breast stroke specialist, Landon continued swimming in the BCSSA until 2008, and competed twice at Provincials Championships.

In 2010, at the age of fifteen, Landon sustained a spinal cord injury while mountain biking, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Landon, suddenly confronted with an entirely new set of lifelong challenges, looked forwards, not back. Drawing his inner strength and character, incredible support from his family, and the lessons he learned from his years in the BCSSA, Landon took up the sport of adaptive skiing (also known as "sit-skiing"). Landon set short and long term goals (a skill he had developed in this swimming career) for his new-found sport and applied his energy to attaining those goals.

Linked with the hIgh Five Foundation, Lanon Channelled his impressive spirit and determination into learning the art of sit-skiing and taking his level of performance to a highly-competitive level. Most recently, Landin raced to a third-place finish at the BC Adaptive Skiing Provincial Championships, and he has his eyes set on competing, one day, in the adaptive skiing event at the Paralympics.

Landon's story, and his development in the sport of sit-skiing, has been (and continues to be) prominently documented through the High Fives Foundation. Landon has also taken the time to speak with elementary school groups about how to meet, and overcome obstacles.

Landon has demonstrated the ability to deal with adversity through determination, love of sport and competition, and hard work; attributes and qualities fostered, in part, through his years with the BCSSA.

Builder: TED SLINGER

Ted Slinger started with BCSSA as a parent and a timer with the Port Moody Aquarians. That was before digital watches were available and a steady hand and good eye were required. From timing he moved onto place judging until Dick Gauer )a former Provincial Board Member) recruited Ted to be a stroke and turn judge.

From there it was a short step to starting and reffing. He became a BCSSA Master Official in the mid 80's and a Swim BC Master Official in 1989. In addition to being a mainstay on the deck with BCSSA at club meets, regionals and provincials, Ted has also been the started/ref with SFU swimming since 1988 and continues to officiate at dual meets and invitationals to this day. Ted officiates at many Swim BC meets, the High School meet and he loved to officiate at the Special Olympics more than anything. Ted was the Treasurer and Registrar with PMA and then the President of the club for four years from 1982-1985. He went from there to be Regional Director for Simon Fraser Aquatics Swim Club Parent Society and just this past year was the meet manager for the BC Senior Games.

2005 Inductee

**Please note that these inductee write-ups were written in 2005.

Builder: GUN ODEGARD

(1948 - 1956) was a member of the Swedish National Dive Team, which traveled all over Europe.
(1956) came to Canada —competed nationally in diving.
(1971) started for North Vancouver Recreation Commission as diving instructor and coached the summer diving programme.
(1972 - 1985) was volunteer dive coach for the North Vancouver Cruisers.
(1975) established N.V. Diving as a winter diving programme.
(1982 - 1994) Gun was B.C. Provincial Diving Coordinator.
(1990) She merged N.V. Diving Club and Summer Diving Club to form the N.V. Diving Society, which exists today. Gun is a National Level High Performance Diving Coach.
(2005) She is still an executive of N.V.D.S. and is VD Diving Director

Newsmaker: TRACY WILSON KINSELLA

started with BCSSA in 1967 with Coquitlam Sharks; moved to Port Moody Aquarians in 1970. Her whole family was involved in swimming for years.
Went to provincials 3 times in swimming and also qualified in diving.
Started skating in Coquitlam and then moved to Port Moody Inlet Skating.
Won Bronze Medal at Calgary Olympics with Ice Dance partner Rob McCall.
Has worked for CBC, CBS, NBC, ABC as a skating commenter analyst for all international skating events including Olympics since 1990.
Was chosen as one of the best commentators in U.S.
Is married and has 2 boys in Triple A hockey and a daughter who likes to skate. Are we surprised at their activities!

Congratulations, Tracy!

Competitors: SCOTT PATTERSON

Scott swam for the Richmond Kigoos from age 9-16 (1982)
Qualified for provincials in fly and Freestyle. BCSSA years were wonderful.
He lost both legs in an industrial accident while working at the fish cannery.
His competitiveness still prevailed despite his disabilities. He started competing in triathlons (swim, handcycle, and wheelchairs). he is now on the Canadian National Triathlon Team.
He is also skiing on Canada's National ParaOlympic Team in events— Giant Slalom (Bronze Medal at Salt Lake Olympics), Downhill and Slalom.
Scott will be representing Canada at Turin Winter Olympics—2006.
Prior to Turin he will be competing in France and Austria in October; January 2006 World Cup events in Japan, Korea and Italy before Turin

Pretty hard to keep up with this athlete. Well done, Scott.

2004 Inductee

**Please note that these inductee write-ups were written in 2004.

Builder: TAIMI MCMILLAN

Taimi McMillan began her swimming career with Swim BC. Her introduction to BCSSA was through her life guarding in Hop where Dan Sharrer was Park and Aquatic Director. He was also Head Coach for the Hope Otters and a well-known member of the BCSSA Board of Directors. Taimi also swam for Dan in her early years.

Prior to joining the Coquitlam Sharks as a Coach (from 1989 - 2003), Taimi coached for the Port Moody Aquarians. During her coaching career Taimi continued to swim competitively until 2003 and has always been an inspiration to her swimmers as well as many other competitors.

Throughout her career with BCSSA, Taimi has always been an enthusiastic cheerleader for the organization. She has been a regular speaker at the annual BCSSA Coaches Conference and served as the Provincial Coahes representative at the BCSSA Provincial Board for Directors. Taimi leads by example. She has boundless energy, great management skills and has given great feedback to the countless swimmers she has coached. Taimi has always been respectful of officials yet has expected correct and fair decisions. She was firm when needed with overzealous parents, compassionate with swimmers— disappointments and level-headed with their success. Taimi doesn't just build swimmers, she builds people. Individuals come away from Taimi knowing that she cares about them, and not what they can do. This is a person that the BCSSA and especially the Coquitlam Sharks can be proud of. Taimi leads by example, a true leader.

Newsmaker: GRANT CONNELL

Although Frant is known in Canada for Tennis, some of his athletic roots came from success with the B.C. Summer Swimming Association, such as the following:

Gold Medal in the 8& Under Medly Relay (1973 Provincials)
Gold Medal in the 8& Under Free Relay (1974 Provincials)
Gold Medal in Breaststroke (1976 Provincials)
Gold Medal in 200 Medly Relay (1978 Provincials)
Gold Medal in 200 Free Relay (1980 Provincials)

Grant became a world-class professional athlete, twice holding the #1 rank in doubles tennis in the world. His reputation has remained impeccable and he loves his local community of North Vancouver. At age fifteen (15) he was introduced to Tennis at the North Shore Winter Club. Grant won a scholarship to Texas A&M, and after Grant's second year as all American, he left college to join the Canadian Tennis Team. In 1987 he has a 2nd place finish on the Belgian Satellite Tour, He almost gave up on his goal. However, he returned home and although he found success in singles, he fared very well in doubles with his partner Glen Mitchibata.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1989 - 1991: placed in the top 100 singles players in the world.
Singles highlights: Grant won over Ivan Lendl; upset Magnus Gustafsson—Davis Cup and a pivotal loss to Andre Agassi at Wimbleton.
Singles success: reached finals in Belgoe, Norway and helsinki, Finland.
Doubles Highlights: Success with his doubles career extended his playing to 1997.
Recieved the Canadian Spirit of Sport Award for presenting a positive image on moral development of Canadian youth.
Inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame.

Grant won many titles with Glen Mitchibata, Pat Galbraith and Ryan Black, including World Doubles Championship with Pat in 1995. In 1993 Grant Grant was ranked #1 in world doubles.

Newsmaker: PAUL KARIYA

Paul Kariya was a member of the North Shore Winter Club for four years, from six (6) to ten (10) years of age. While a member of the club, Paul's best stroke was the breaststroke. One summer, Paul even swam with a cast on his leg. Unfortunately, he burned out a hairdryer trying to keep the cast dry.

Hockey was always a great love for Paul. he played junior hockey in Penticton for the Panthers of the BCJHL and ultimately won a scholarship to the University of Maine.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1993: NCAA Championships, Maine Black Bears
1993: Winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award for outstanding College Hockey Player (th eonly freshman to win)
1994: Olympic Silver Medalist for Hockey in Lillehammer, Norway
1996 - 1997: Lady Byng Trophy (NHL) with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks
2002: Olympic Gold Medalist for Hockey in Salt Lake City, Utah
2003: Stanley Cup Finalists

In Paul's acceptance letter to BCSSA, he stated that his ability to swim greatly assisted him in his rehabilitation from hockey injuries. This provided him with a big advantage over his peers in the game.

Competitiors: CHRISTINE LARSEN

Christine started swimming at the age of 7 with the Coquitlam Sharks (BCSSA). Christine had many successes at BCSSA both at the Regional and Provincial Championships as well as high school meets. Christine's High Schol Championship record of 1984 in the 100m free still stands today. At Age eleven (11) Christine decided to turn her focus to the sport of Synchronized Swimming.

During 1993 - 1994, Christine was a full time coach for the Nanimo Diamonds Synchro Club. She has worked for the City of Coquitlam in aquatics, participated in the open water swimming while holding the positon of executive/Technical Director for Synchro BC. Christine was instrumental in supporting the development of Synchronized swimming within BCSSA. During her tenure as Synchro BC Executive Director several joint projects between the two association were hosted as a result, registration for synchronized swimming has been steadily rising each year.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1990: Commonwealth Gold — Duet (with Kathy Glen)
1991: Canadian National Championship — Duet
1995: Canadian National Championship — Team
1996: Olympic Silver — Team

Competitiors: BELINDA EDDY

Belinda joined the Port Moody Aquarians at the age of six (6). During her time as a member of BCSSA, Belinda was awarded 10 gold, 9 silver, and 8 bronze medals at regionals, and at Provincials, she was awarded 4 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Following her swimming success, Belinda turned her attention to diving with the Port Moody Aquarians and from there went on to join Dive BC.

Belinda gave back to BCSSA by coaching for the Port Moody Aquarians, Burnaby Barracudas and the Coquitlam Sharks. During her diving career, Belinda made many visits to the chiropractors and the physio therapists. After graduating from SFU, Belinda obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and is currently working in her chosen profession in Seattle.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

BCSSA, 16 gold, 9 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Western Canadian Diving Championships, 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Member of the Canadian Jr. National Diving Team
Canadian National Dive Team; 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
International Competition; 2 bronze medals
Received a 4 year Diving Scholarship to SFU where she remained undefeated in eight (8) NAIA Championships.
Belinda was the only competitor to win one the 1 & 3 metre diving boards 4 consecutive years; Belinda still holds the 3 metre springboard record in NAIA.
Received the Rick Jones Memorial Award for athletic achievement.
1990 SFU Female Athlete of the Year