VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds swimmers did well in their final tests before they get the chance to defend their national titles at the 2019 U SPORTS Odlum Brown Swimming Championships, which begin next week on campus. UBC took part in the West Coast Collegiate meet Feb. 9-10 in Victoria, against the host Vikes, and the Simon Fraser Clan.

The short-course meet took place at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Most events took place twice, once on each day.
 
"This meet was a chance to sharpen up the swimmers' racing skills against competitors from UVic and Simon Fraser before the U SPORTS Odlum Brown Swimming Championships," said UBC assistant coach Derrick Schoof. "Some personal and seasonal best times were posted by the 'Birds. With everyone racing tough both sessions. There is nothing like racing in these types of meets to practice the tactical and technical skills needed to be successful during the championship season."
 
Quincy Brozo and Maia Brundage each won four women's races, while Kirsten Douglas, Hillary Metcalfe, and Mackenzie Gunther earned three wins apiece.
 
On the men's side, Nic Duke led the way with a pair of triumphs.
 

Here is the full list of race winners for UBC at the West Coast Collegiate meet.
 
WOMEN
Mia Bottrill
200 backstroke – Saturday (2:21.29)
 
Quincy Brozo
50 butterfly – Sunday (27.80)
100 butterfly – Sunday (1:01.33)
50 freestyle – Saturday (25.80)
100 freestyle – Saturday (55.72)
 

Maia Brundage
200 freestyle – Sunday (2:01.38)
200 individual medley – Saturday (2:15.28)
400 freestyle – Saturday (4:10.79)
400 individual medley – Sunday (4:48.39)
 
Kirsten Douglas
50 butterfly – Saturday (27.85)
100 butterfly – Saturday (1:00.99)
200 butterfly – Sunday (2:15.90)
 
Olivia Ellard
100 backstroke – Sunday (1:01.03)
200 backstroke – Saturday (2:13.45)
 
Mackenzie Gunther
50 freestyle – Sunday (26.37)
100 freestyle – Sunday (56.27)
200 freestyle – Saturday (2:01.14)
 
Hillary Metcalfe
50 breaststroke – Saturday (32.64)
50 breaststroke – Sunday (32.71)
100 breaststroke – Saturday (1:10.77)
 
MEN
Nic Duke
50 backstroke – Saturday (26.03)
100 backstroke – Sunday (54.82)
 
Justin Konik
200 freestyle – Sunday (1:53.58)
 
Connor Wilkins  
200 butterfly – Sunday (2:00.86) 
 
Brodie Young
400 individual medley – Sunday (4:25.18)
 
Ruishen Yu
100 breaststroke – Saturday (1:03.56)
 
UBC's Canadian national team members did not compete, while Illness kept Hoi Lam Karen Tam out of the pool for the women's team. Alex Loginov and Hau-Li Fan did not compete for the Thunderbirds in Victoria, and Araya Therrien did not race Sunday because of illness. Fan is in Doha, Qatar for a FINA World Cup race Saturday.
 
Schoof also reflected on the significance of UBC, Victoria, and Simon Fraser competing against each other on a regular basis.
 
"This season, three BC university teams raced at each other's home college meets so it's great to see that level of cooperation and support," said Schoof. "We can build on that next season in order to raise the bar of BC university swimming. We are excited about the upcoming U SPORTS Odlum Brown Swimming Championships hosted at UBC and know we have our work cut out for us in pursuit of the national titles."  
 
The Thunderbirds are two-time defending U SPORTS champions on both the women's and men's sides. They will have an opportunity to extend their streaks to three next weekend at the 2019 U SPORTS Odlum Brown Swimming Championships, Feb. 21-23 at the UBC Aquatic Centre.