VANCOUVER – The Sports Illustrated Clubhouse Colleges Cup concluded on Sunday evening after two days of top-tier swimming action with teams from across Western Canada. UBC's women's team claimed first place with 1247.5 points, followed by the University of Calgary Dinos in second with 869.5 points and Team BC in third with 695.5 points. UBC's men's team also triumphed, scoring 1327 points, while the Dinos finished second with 893 and the University of Alberta Golden Bears secured third with 458.
"The meet as a whole went great," UBC head coach
Derrick Schoof said. "We swam well, and the visiting teams swam well, but we just swam that much better; I mean, what can I say? I was so proud of our swimmers. They really responded, really stepped up, and competed their hearts out."
UBC's
Kayla Sanchez took first in the 100 individual medley with 1:00.15 and the 100 freestyle in 52.70, while narrowly finishing second in the 200 individual medley at 2:09.97.
Emma O'Croinin put up strong performances in the 400 freestyle (4:08.04) and the 200 freestyle (1:55.74).
Bridget Burton also contributed significantly with wins in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Alexanne Lepage, a standout for the Dinos, dominated all three breaststroke events and set a meet record in the 200 individual medley with 2:09.94. Hannah Johnsen added points, finishing behind Lepage in the 100 and 50 backstroke and contributing to podium results in the 400 and 200 freestyle relays.
Finlay Knox had an exceptional weekend for UBC, as the first-year Olympian won the 100 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 50 backstroke, and 200 butterfly, achieving a meet-high 96 points. Fellow Thunderbirds, including
Tanner Cole (400 individual medley),
Ethan Hemeon (200 breaststroke),
Kai Lilienthal (100 butterfly), Siu Lun Ho (50 freestyle and 50 butterfly),
Justice Migneault (200 individual medley),
Blake Tierney (100 backstroke), and
Olivier Risk (1500 freestyle), also recorded individual wins.
"Our men's team is a much better team than we were last year," Schoof added. "It's great having some of the swimmers that decided to redshirt last year back on the team, as well as some wonderful recruits. The momentum is really in our favour right now, and we're looking forward to Canada West coming up, and we have our eyes set on U SPORTS this year in Toronto."
Stephen Calkins stood out for the Dinos, topping the podium in the 100 freestyle (49.23), the 200 freestyle (1:47.55), and securing second in the 50 freestyle (22.84), contributing 82 points for the University of Calgary.
Alberta's Minh Nguyen added points with top-three finishes in the 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle.
The 'Birds are now preparing to host the Canada West Swimming Championships from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24.
"What I'm looking for from our athletes [at the Canada West Swimming Championships] is just to go faster than they did this weekend. I can't really control the competition, but if we can continue getting better over the next three weeks leading into Canada West and put up some fast times, I'll be very happy."
Meet Results
