Storto chooses Western to extend pool career
Jul 02, 2007 - 12:00 AM
By Al Rivett
PICKERING -- With swimming such a big part of his life since age 9, Mike Storto is determined to
The Pickering Swim Club member has earned a spot on the University of Western Ontario Mustangs’ men’s swim team in the fall, where he’s expected to be the team’s distance freestyle specialist at the London, Ontario university.
Storto says he was prepared to swim and study at the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto, but opted for UWO due to his study requirements, in the environmental science realm, as well as for the strength of the swim team.
“In January I went (to London) for a visit to get a feel for the team and I liked the coach very much. It seemed to be a good fit,” says Storto, 17, who’ll be swimming his specialties, the 400-metre and 800m freestyle.
Although swimming in the U.S. on scholarship was an option for the Pickering resident and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School graduate, Storto says he had no thoughts of swimming or studying stateside.
“I wanted to stay close to home and get an education up here. I didn’t really want to go to the U.S.,” he says.
Storto is grateful to the Pickering Swim Club and especially to head coach Lucie Hewitt-Henderson for helping him develop in the sport.
“My coach, coach Lucie, has been a great help to me. She has helped me develop as a swimmer and a person. I have a lot of close friends here. They’ve all been great,” he says.
His last meet with the Pickering club will come at the upcoming Club Nationals in Montreal in late July. He hopes to leave the swim club with a strong performance.
“Hopefully, I can put together some good times. I hope to do well there,” he says.
He’s most proud during his eight years with the Pickering club of achieving the club record in the boys’ 17-and-over 400-metre freestyle. Storto does, however, say that the record will likely fall to one of his friends at the club.
“It will probably be broken next year and Adam Gomba is most likely to break it,” he says.
Recommend :
Latest News
Durham drug cops announce $3M bustDURHAM -- Dozens of people have been arrested and drugs with an estimated street value in excess of $3 million have been seized in a massive strike by Durham police against...
Newcastle area asked to conserve water nowDURHAM -- Anyone connected to municipal water in Newcastle is asked to conserve use immediately. The Newcastle water supply plant, which also serves Newtonville, has had...
Pickering fireworks vendors robbed on Canada DayPICKERING -- Two armed bandits made off with cash after they robbed fireworks vendors in Pickering on Canada Day. Durham police said the two employees had closed their storage...
Hijacked rig unloaded in AjaxAJAX -- A trucker who was hijacked in Mississauga was taken to Ajax where his cargo of electronics was unloaded and stolen, police have confirmed. The incident occurred on the...
Boy, 15, charged in Pickering sex assaultPICKERING -- A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the sexual assault of a woman who was attacked in her Pickering home in February. It's believed the suspect is a former...
Suspect in numerous Durham break-ins bustedDURHAM -- A suspect in more than 40 break-ins in Durham Region has been arrested and police continue to investigate potential links to other incidents. Durham police picked up...
Sentenced to life in Pickering murder, Cyr denies guiltWHITBY -- Even as he was being sentenced to prison with a judge's recommendation he never be released, convicted killer Paul Cyr forcefully denied any role in the murder of a...
Five Durham beaches posted unsafe for swimming
DURHAM --Five beaches in Durham Region are considered unsafe for swimming after the most recent water quality tests. Elgin Pond has been posted with a caution against...
Cops disperse pot party in Oshawa
OSHAWA -- A small crowd which gathered for what was billed as a "Cannabis Day" celebration at Alexandra Park in Oshawa has been met by almost a dozen police...
NewsView map shows Canada Day 2009 events in Durham RegionDURHAM -- From fireworks to music in the park, there is plenty to do on Canada Day in Durham Region. Waterfront events are big in several communities. And...