3 Saskatoon female para swimmers headed to Paralympics
Nikita Ens, Shelby Newkirk and Hannah Ouellette all part of Saskatoon Lasers swim team
Nikita Ens was driving home from a late nursing shift when her life changed forever. A car crash left her paralyzed from the waist down in February 2014.
As someone who was always outside and active, Ens said it was a difficult time. Then she entered a pool and swam for the first time since her crash.
"It kind of felt like freedom in the water," said Ens. "I just did the classiest nose dive ever from my chair into the water and just floated there, it's amazing being in the water."
WATCH | Nikita Ens talks about competing in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
Ens is one of three female para swimmers from the Saskatoon Lasers swim team who qualified to attend the 2024 Paris Paralympics this August.
Ens has been swimming with the Lasers for the last six years and has been recognized worldwide for her talent. She previously competed in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where she achieved personal best times and placed ninth in the 50-metre backstroke and the 100-metre freestyle.
"In Tokyo when we trained before, Team Canada had a training camp," said Ens. "Being that close with other para athletes was so inspiring."
Ens attended the 2021 Paralympics alongside teammate Shelby Newkirk, who originally encouraged Ens to join the Lasers.
Newkirk set Canadian records for every Tokyo event she entered.
"After Tokyo, I knew that I definitely wanted to keep going, I wanted more," said Newkirk. "I really wanted to get on that podium."
Newkirk played a variety of sports growing up. At age 13 she was diagnosed with generalized dystonia, a neurological movement disorder. This caused her to lose the use of movement in her right leg.
"This community that I've known for forever, the sporting world, I felt like I didn't fit in anymore, I couldn't do it," she said.
Newkirk said those feelings went away when she realized she could channel her competitive spirit into para swimming. She soon began to thrive in the sport.
She has competed in several competitions since her swimming career began back in 2011. Recently, she broke a world record for the 50-metre backstroke at an Indianapolis World Series stop.
"I want them to build off of what we've done in the last few years, so I'm looking forward to seeing all of those little things come together at the time they're racing," said Ryan Jones, the head coach of the Saskatoon Lasers.
"I want them to enjoy the experience. I think at the end of the day, if you're not having fun with it, we're not going to fight successfully."
Jones has been coaching for the last 13 years, but joined the Lasers in 2020, shortly before the Tokyo Paralympics.
Originally from Toronto, Jones said coaching in a community like Saskatoon has been special. He emphasized that the women have been focusing on a lot more than just swimming. He said mental focus and nutrition play huge roles.
Jones said he's excited to push the women to do their best at the games, especially Hannah Oullette, who will be at the Paralympics for the first time.
Ouellette brought home bronze in the multi-class women's 50-metre butterfly at the 2022 Canada Games.
Ouellette has been swimming for the last eight years. Being born with a disability has never stopped her from following her dreams. She said she hopes to inspire the younger generation to do the same.
"I hope it just shows them that they can do anything that they're passionate about as long as they just want to do it," said Ouellette.
The three women will be heading to Paris alongside coach Jones and their families in August.
The Paris Paralympics run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
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