Sarnia, ON, September 10, 2012 - The Lambton College Firefighter Combat Challenge Team blazed a trail at the Canadian National Scott Firefit Championships held in Baie Comeau, Quebec from August 30 to September 2.
Team captain Ian Van Reenen won the honour of 2012 Top Rookie Firefighter in Canada after competing in the Men’s Individual competition and accomplishing a time of 1:21.80. This time hoists Van Reenen to his command as the new world record holder for fire colleges and only one second off the world men’s individual record. Additionally, Van Reenen is officially in eighth position for all Canadian Firefighters and remains in the “80 Second Elite Firefighters of Canada” with his time.
Team members Tabitha Siegfried and John Bain competed in the mixed tandem team and placed second in Canada with a time of 2:00.22 to receive the silver medals. This is the first time in Lambton College history that a team competed in the mixed tandem competition at any event.
In the men’s team tandem, Ian Van Reenen and Nelson Bodnar placed fourth in Canada with a time of 1:37.86.
Another first for Lambton College, the top three Firefighter individual times put the Lambton College team in the top ten, placing eighth in Canada with a time of 4:33.24. Both personal bests, Nelson Bodnar had a time of1:32.82 and John Bain had a time of 1:38.62. Bodnar and Bain remain in the “90Second Elite Firefighters of Canada” with this accomplishment.
Many Lambton College alumni also made a big impact. Highlights include:
- Shaun Henderson – Oakville Fire Department – gold medal team relay, bronze medal team and fifth place standing in Canada with a time of1:19.33.
- Derrek Coccimiglio – Prince Township Volunteer Fire Department –top volunteer firefighter and 10th place standing in Canada with at ime of 1:22.95.
- Scott Minty – Bruce Power Fire – silver medal in the industrial team relay and 14th place standing in Canada with a time of 1:39.84.
The Scott Firefit Canadian Nationals tournament will be televised by TSN at a later date.
This tournament brings the season to a close for the rookie team,bringing the final standings for the 2011/12 year to four gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal, the most accomplishments received by any team in Lambton College history.