THUNDER BAY – Local swimmer Hannah Johnsen is heading west to the land of the Dinos.
The 17-year-old nationally ranked freestyle swimmer on Thursday announced she’s decided to join the University of Calgary after her time at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute is done next June.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to swim and study at the University of Calgary,” Johnsen said in a release issued by the ThunderBolts swim club.
“Their kinesiology program is ranked number one in North America, and their swim team is also ranked very high in Canada. This combination is an ideal situation to achieve my goals. I am looking forward to continuing my academic and athletic careers at U of C as a Dino.”
ThunderBolts coach John McLeod said helping individual swimmers take the sport to the next level is one of the program’s goals and he couldn’t be happier for his young charge.
”Hannah is a talented young lady in and out of the pool. She continues the ThunderBolts rich tradition of swimming at the post-secondary level and beyond,” McLeod said.
The University of Calgary has won six national men’s and three national women’s swimming championships.
Coach Mike Blondal has also led the team to 13 men’s and women’s Canada West titles.
Johnsen could help him add to the school’s totals.
“We are excited to have a swimmer of Hannah’s nature and work ethic decide to swim with the University of Calgary Dinos for the next five years,” Blondal said.
“In discussions with her coaches and her soon to be teammates here at the U of C we saw a dedicated student athlete. Hannah swims a wide range of events at a high level and can contribute well in team scoring and leadership.”
