Why does Cole Mitchell get out of bed while it's still dark, travel through the freezing cold and get into a pool for 6 a.m. each day?
“Reward. Competing at different meets and making best times. It feels good when you achieve a goal and it also keeps you really fit,” said the Collingwood Clipper Swim Club athlete.
The 14-year-old Collingwood resident is driven to achieve his goals and cracking the top 10 in Canada is his next goal.
Mitchell will get that chance as he’s qualified for the Canadian Swimming Championships at the Olympic Park Sports Centre in Montréal between April 5 to 8.
He’ll be competing against 15 year olds in the senior 100- and 200-metre backstroke.
“Achieving times for this competition is a serious accomplishment,” said Shane Downey, Clippers head coach.
It’s the second time Mitchell has competed at the national level. Last year, he competed as a junior in the 200-metre backstroke.
“I went out too fast and I couldn’t bring it back,” he said.
Coach Downey said “it was a good learning experience.”
The first time an athlete moves up a division there is typically an intimidation factor and a novice factor. Downey expects Mitchell will be more composed this year.
Also, last year the junior nationals were held in July following the end of the Clippers season in June, so Mitchell was in the pool training alone.
“Now we are essentially half way through our swim season so Cole will have his teammates to swim and train with here leading up to it,” Downey said.
Mitchell also trains periodically with the Barrie Trojan Swim Club.
The Spring Provincial Championships held in Etobicoke between March 1 and 4 is where Mitchell met the national time standard.
The Clippers sent three swimmers including Hailey Abbott, 13, Jack Czerny, 15 and Mitchell.
Competing in five events, Mitchell achieved personal best times in four. He made it to the finals in the 100- and 200- metre backstroke and completed the races in times of 1:04.46 and 2:17.84.
Mitchell also broke four Clippers records for the 1,500-metre freestyle, 100-metre backstroke, 200-metre backstroke and the 400-metre individual medley.
His long term goal is the make the Canadian Swim Team.
“My goal right now is just moving up in Canada. I’d like to get into the top 10,” he said.
He’s eleventh in Canada now for his age.
Mitchell has what it takes to become a top athlete, said Downey.
“He’s very driven. He’s not over confident, he’s fearless.
“He’s taking the proper steps into becoming a better, well-rounded swimmer – qualifying for the swim meets, getting best times, improving his technique. Those are all super important things to making him a long-term successful swimmer and he’s doing those things.”
In his first year as head coach, Downey is entering the team into larger Ontario swim meets.
“The Toronto area has some powerhouse swim teams. It’s important that the swimmers are exposed to those powerhouse competitors.
“At the Canadians, Cole will be exposed to competition from across Canada. People he’s never swam against.
“Eventually as Cole gets better, stronger, faster we will start looking at international swim meets as well to add to that experience.”
Mitchell comes from a swimming family. His parents were competitive swimmers who met through the sport. His sister Piper, 11, and brother Aidan, 16, are both competitive swimmers.
A Grade 9 student at Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Mitchell has also competed on the cross country running team, the swim team and is now training for track and field.
When he’s not training with the Clippers or going to school, he likes to run and plans to take part in the Wasaga Beach Triathlon this summer.
For more information about the Clippers check out their website or find them on Facebook.
