The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees swim team is proud to announce that local swimming sensation Ashton Baumann, Ottawa, Ont., has committed to swim for the garnet and grey next season.
This announcement comes off the heels of Ashton's record setting performance this past weekend at the Paul Bergen Junior International Swim meet in Tualatin, Oregon. The 17-year old set a new provincial record in the boys 15-17 years 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:11.23, missing the Canadian National record by only .01 seconds.
Earlier this year, Ashton also won a national title at the Canadian Age Group Swimming Championships in the boys 17-18 years 100m breaststroke. He swam a personal best of 1:03.17 for the win.
Ashton is looking forward to attending the University of Ottawa next fall, as well as the chance to continue his development under Gee-Gees swim team head coach Derrick Schoof: "I'm really excited to come here. I mean there was always the option of going to swim in (America) but I'm not really interested in that. I look forward to keep training with Derrick. This is my second year with him, and I've already improved dramatically." Hence, it comes as no surprise as to why Ashton listed coach Schoof as the biggest factor in his decision to swim for the Gee-Gees.
Schoof understands this all too well, and believes it's testament to the success of the ongoing GO Kingfish/Gee-Gees partnership: "Having that relationship with the GO Kingfish here at the University of Ottawa, we're going to develop some good age-group talent here. For (Ashton) it's an easy choice to stay in Ottawa and swim with the Gee-Gees. He is a great fit for this team, and I think it will be very important for him to have that kind of support."
Now without drawing any comparisons, it is important to note that Ashton is also the son of Canadian swimming legend Alex Baumann. His father won two gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, set two new world records in the process, and was Canada's flag bearer for the opening ceremonies of those games in Los Angeles. Mr. Baumann currently serves at the head of Canada's Road to Excellence initiative for the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Ironically, Aston's new provincial record this past weekend came at the expense of his father's old friend and teammate Victor Davis, who held the 15-17 years 200m breaststroke record since 1982. Victor swam with Alex Baumann at the 1984 Olympics wherein he picked up a gold and silver medal of his own.
