CALGARY, AB - The men's and women's UBC swim teams showed they will be a force in Canada West and U Sports this season. Both teams cruised to victory in the team standings at the Rocky Mountain Cup in Calgary over the weekend.
 
The UBC women finished the meet with 930 total points, 320 more than the second place Toronto Varsity Blues. The UBC men captured 760 points also outpacing the second place Varsity Blues, who finished with 550.
 
"Our goal coming here was to improve in all aspects of race tactics, technique and skills.  So far so good," said UBC Head Coach Steve Price. "Calgary is a tough place to race with the altitude so it requires the athletes swim tactically sound." 

See entire results of 2016 Rocky Mountain Cup here.
 

Women - Team Rankings

 
1. UBC Thunderbirds                    930  
2. University of Toronto                   610
3. University of Calgary                   230  
 

Men - Team Rankings

 
1. UBC Thunderbirds                     760  
2. University of Toronto                    550
3. University of Calgary                    140  
 

Great but tough weekend of racing here in Calgary. Pulled away with the win by 300 points. Next up: Colleges Cup at UBC! Come out Saturday and Sunday to support these highlighters! #gobirdsgo

A photo posted by UBC Women's Swimming (@ubcwswimming) on Oct 30, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT

 
UBC Olympian Yuri Kisil, showed he is in top form early in the season. 'The Missile' took 2015-16 off from the Thunderbirds to train for the Rio Olympics, but he is back on the 'Birds and set meet records in both the 50 metre and 100 metre freestyle events, winning both.
 
First year Thunderbird Megan Dalke smashed the meet record in the 800 metre freestyle (8:44.47), taking first place in the race. Fourth year T-Bird Jonathan Brown also set a meet record in his 200 metre IM victory.
 
Both UBC men's 200 metre freestyle relay team and the women's 200 metre medley relay squad won their races in record times for the Rocky Mountain Cup. The women's team of Ingrid Wilm, Erin Stamp, Jacomie Strydom and Quincy Brozo completed the race in 1:53.60. The men's team of Luke Peddie, Kisil, Carson Olafson and Coleman Allen won their race in 1:30.65.


 
"Swimmers that stood out are rookies Megan Dalke and Ingrid Wilm, also team vets Keegan Zanatta and Erin Stamp," added Price "We need to work on relay takeovers as we had two disqualifications.  Seeing our main competition this early in the season gives the team something to work towards in prep for CIS Champs in late February."
 
Kisil and Keegan Zanatta were awarded 'Male Swims of the Day' honours. Kisil won for his 100 metre freestyle swim and Zanatta for his 200 metre freestyle victory.
 
UBC will host the Odlum Brown Limited Colleges Cup November 5 and 6 at the UBC Aquatic Centre. The meet will be the last competitive meet for the Thunderbirds in the old UBC Aquatic Centre, as their new facility is expected to open in early 2017.