SASKATOON — Rising swimmer Maxwell Thille has made an impressive mark in the pool, leaving ripples of success both in the Provincial Championship and the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. His outstanding achievements have earned him the July Athlete of the Month.
At just 13 years of age, this prodigious swimmer has captured 11 medals in both competitions. He clinched six gold medals at the 2023 NAIG held in Halifax, showcasing his exceptional prowess in the water. His remarkable performance secured his national position following another display of brilliance at Winnipeg's 2023 ManSask Summer Provincial Championships.
Thille's domination began in the men’s Under-14 50-metre breaststroke event at the NAIG, where he clinched his first gold. He continued his winning streak by claiming the top spot in the 100-m breaststroke and the 200-m breaststroke events, both within the same age group.
The Saskatoon Goldfins member, whom Swim Saskatchewan nominated, showcased his exceptional teamwork by contributing significantly to Saskatchewan's victories. He was crucial in propelling the 4x100-m freestyle, 4x50-m medley, and 4x50-m freestyle relay teams to clinch gold medals in the men’s U14 division.
Thille's exploits began a week before the 2023 NAIG in Winnipeg, where he asserted his dominance at the ManSask championships with five medals. His medal tally was gold in the U13 200-m freestyle and 200-m medley relay events, silver in the 200-m medley relay, and bronze medals in the 50-m and 100-m breaststroke events.
Rifle shooter Willow Fayant Velychko from the Saskatchewan Target Shooting Association and Maitlan Knoke, a Para-Games athlete representing Saskatchewan Athletics, were the other outstanding athletes nominated for the monthly award.
