| Michelle
Williams to Become a Buckeye in 2010 Andrea Hamilton December 2009 | ||
NYAC is pleased to announce that Michelle has accepted an athletic scholarship to join the Ohio State University Women's Swim Team. We are so very proud of her for a number of reasons, but most particularly because she is a home grown talent who has risen up through the ranks of NYAC. Currently Michelle is the longest serving swimmer of the club. | ||
 Michelle, age 9, at her first Waves meet at Douglas Snow in 2000 | ||
She joined the North York Development Swim Club, as it was known back then before it became known today as the "Waves" program in the Fall of 1999 when she was 8 years old. She was fresh off the city run Aqua Quest Learn to Swim program. Michelle has
never looked back and never stopped trying to be better and faster. After two
years in the Waves program she entered the NYAC competitive program in the Intro
Group. Michelle's
dedication and strong work ethic have provided the foundation for her success.
Over the years Michelle has never given up or lost hope that she can compete in
the big leagues with the fast competitors. | ||
 Michelle, far right, standing next to fellow Canadian swimmer Samantha Cheverton, and Buckeye team members Megan Alexander and Haley Mitchell, on her visit to OSU in November 2009 | ||
| Michelle
spent five weekends touring potential American and Canadian universities this
past fall, and finally decided to accept an offer from Ohio State. Before travelling
to Columbus, Ohio, on a recruiting visit, Michelle watched a video
of an interview with Bill Dorenkott, head coach for the Buckeye women's swim team.
The video interview left a huge impression on Michelle. She was taken by his vision,
philosophy, approach to coaching and enthusiasm for his role as the new head coach.
Bill joined the team in the Fall of 2008. Earlier this month, coach
Bill announced the eight member Class of 2014, an impressive group, both as
swimmers and as students. Although Michelle will be moving on to post-secondary
education, it is important to her to maintain her ties with NYAC. Both coach Dorenkott
and assistant coach Stefanie Williams have expressed their willingness to work
together with NYAC head coach Murray Drudge. Together coach Murray and coach Dorenkott
will design the best program for Michelle so that she can improve and develop
to her full potential, both as a university swimmer and as a potential international
competitor. While touring the university, Michelle had a very informative meeting
with an academic advisor, and she discussed the Exercise Science Program (B.Sc.)
which she is interested in. Michelle
has been a wonderful role model for NYAC swimmers. She is always very quick to
volunteer to demonstrate technique and drills to our junior swimmers. She has
developed close bonds with swimmers in their development stages who train in the
pool just prior to or just following her pool time. It is not unusual to watch
her hug and offer encouragement to our younger swimmers. This past weekend she
was again seen to hang out at the NYAC hosted Mega City meet cheering on our future
champions. Michelle is a gracious and humble competitor who has quietly gone along
her way, never giving up hope and continually working towards her dreams of becoming
a world class swimmer. She has been supported through this pursuit by an energetic
and extremely generous family. Her parents, William and Emsie, have given generously
of their time and expertise to continually strengthen and grow the NYAC club through
their volunteer efforts. | ||
 Michelle competing at the 2009 Youth Cup | ||
|
| |
