WINDSOR, Ont. – New Brunswick swimmers Brooklyn Douthwright, Danielle Dorris and Jacob Gallant were among the victors on Thursday to open the 2018 Speedo Eastern Canadian Swimming Championsips at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.

In the girls 13-15 200-m freestyle, Douthwright, from Riverview, clocked two minutes and 04.47 seconds. Katrina Bellio of Etobicoke, Ont., was second in 2:06.29 and Kate Sullivan of St. John’s N.L., third at 2:06.52.

‘’I felt it was a really good race and swam almost the same time as last week,’’ said Douthwright, a quadruple medallist at the Canada Games last year and New Brunswick’s flag bearer in the Closing Ceremony. ‘’My goal for the rest of the season is to keep going faster.’’

In 2015, at age 12, Douthwright became the youngest swimmer to cross the Northumberland Strait.

Other winners in the age group were Regan Rathwell of Ottawa in the 100-m backstroke, Olivia Starzomski of Sault Ste Marie, Ont., in the 200-m breaststroke and Bellio in the 800-m freestyle.

‘’The first 100-m I went out a bit too slow,’’ said Bellio, 13. ‘’But towards the end I got faster and faster and felt better and better. I’m very happy with the race. I hope I can get on the podium a couple of more times.’’

In the 16 and over age group the winners were Aleksa Gold of Toronto in the 200-m freestyle, Aela Janvier of Pointe-Claire, Que in the 100-m backstroke, Katrina Brathwaite of Pointe-Claire, Que., in the 200-m breaststroke and Stephanie Horner of Beaconsfield, Que., in the 800-m freestyle.

It was a great evening for another New Brunswick athlete as Danielle Dorris of Moncton took the gold in the women’s Para swimming 100-m backstroke in 1:28.46. She bettered her previous best time set at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio where she was the youngest member on the Canadian team at age 13.

‘’I’m proud to finally beat that time,’’ said Dorris. ‘’It’s a great way to start the season.’’

Gord Michie of St. Thomas, Ont., took the men’s Para swimming 100-m backstroke.

Gallant notched his victory in the boys 14-16 200-m breaststroke in 2:21.44 which was faster than the winning time in the 17 and over group.

Other winners in the age group were Callum MacPherson of Oakville, Ont., in the 200-m freestyle, Graysen Bernard of Toronto in the 100-m backstroke and Eric Brown of Pointe-Claire, Que., in the 1500-m freestyle.

The winners in the 17 and over age group were Bernard Godolphin of Brossard, Que., in the 200-m freestyle, William Marois of St-Eustache, Que., in the 100-m backstroke, Bartlomiej Hojda of Mississauga, Ont., in the 200-m breaststroke and Patrick Hussey of Pointe-Claire, Que., in the 1500-m freestyle.

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Full results: https://results.swimming.ca/2018_Speedo_Eastern_Championships/