LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The UBC Thunderbirds swept the competition on the opening day of the 2025 Canada West Swimming Championships presented by Team Aquatic Supplies and Commercial Aquatic Supplies, earning gold medals in nine of the 10 events.
After day one, the UBC women lead with 305.5 points, followed by Calgary (202.5), Victoria (112), Lethbridge (100), Manitoba (47) and Regina (40).
On the men's side, UBC also holds first with 318 points, ahead of Calgary (202), Victoria (114), Lethbridge (71), Manitoba (50) and Regina (45).
UBC opened the night with podium sweeps in both the women's 800m freestyle and men's 1500m freestyle. Emma O'Cronin won the women's 800m freestyle in 8:41.09, with Emma Spence (8:52.22) and Ruby Kehler (8:52.35) earning silver and bronze.
In the men's 1500m freestyle, Aiden Kirk took gold in 15:02.62, followed by Olivier Risk (15:25.44) and Tanner Cole (15:25.57).
The Thunderbirds continued their momentum in the women's 50m butterfly, where Eloise Allen claimed gold in 26.27. Teammates Brooklyn Wiens (26.87) and Sela Wist (27.07) completed the sweep.
In the men's 50m butterfly, UBC's Kai Lilienthal captured gold in 23.11, with teammate Siu Lun Ho taking silver in 23.86. Calgary's Thomas McDonald earned bronze in 23.93.
In the women's 50m backstroke, UBC's Sela Wist finished third in 28.30, Piper Mitchell placed second in 28.05, and Kayla Noelle Sanchez won gold in 25.98—setting a new Canada West record and posting the eighth-fastest time in the world this year.
The men's 50m backstroke saw Calgary's Ethan Fast claim bronze in 24.87. UBC's Raben Domman took silver in 24.47, while Lilienthal secured his second gold of the night in 24.06.
In the women's 50m breaststroke, Calgary added another podium finish with bronze for Isabella Duncan (32.21). UBC's Eloise Allen placed second in 30.71, while Calgary's Alexanne Lepage won gold in 30.08—breaking her own 2024 Canada West record of 30.20.
Calgary's Stephen Moore earned bronze in the men's 50m breaststroke. UBC's Justice Migneault (27.49) took silver, and Ethan Hemeon (27.46) captured gold.
The Thunderbirds closed out the session with victories in both 800m freestyle relays. The UBC women posted a time of 8:00.76, while the men touched in 7:11.81.
Day 2 of the 2025 Canada West Swimming Championships continues Saturday, with prelims at 10 a.m. MDT and finals at 5 p.m. MDT.
VIEW TICKETS FOR THE 2025 CW SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
A full schedule and live results for the event are available on the event homepage.
All sessions will be available to stream live on CanadaWest.TV.
Team Scores
WOMEN
UBC – 305.5
Calgary – 202.5
Victoria – 112
Lethbridge –100
Manitoba-47
Regina– 40
MEN
UBC – 318
Calgary – 202
Victoria – 114
Lethbridge –71
Manitoba-50
Regina– 45
Schedule for Saturday, November 29, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Preliminary Heats): W/M 50m Freestyle, W/M 400m IM, W/M 100m Butterfly, W/M 200m Backstroke, W/M 100m Breaststroke, W/M 200m Freestyle.
4:50 p.m.: Recognize 5th Year Graduating Athletes
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Finals): W/M 50m Freestyle, W/M 400m IM, Awards, W/M 100m Butterfly, W/M 200m Backstroke, Awards, W/M 100m Breaststroke, W/M 200m Freestyle, Awards, W/M 4x100m Freestyle Relay, Awards.
