MARKHAM, Ont. — Day two of the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships delivered another fast and exciting session at the Markham Pan Am Centre as swimmers from across the country continued their pursuit of national titles. The evening finals featured several standout performances, featuring multiple U SPORTS championship records and dominant team efforts from some of the nation's top programs including the UBC Thunderbirds men's and women's teams who remained on top of the overall standings.
The T-Birds men's squad saw their point total soar to 1,143 after day two, with the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary in second and third spot with 610 and 578 points respectively. UBC's women's team also increased their lead to sit at 1,073 points after day two while again it's the University of Toronto chasing in second spot with 744 points and McGill University holding down third place totaling 612.50 points.
The night opened with the women's 50m freestyle, where
Kayla Sanchez (UBC) once again demonstrated her sprint dominance on the national stage. Sanchez surged to gold in 24.03, breaking the U SPORTS championship record and setting the tone for another fast evening of racing.
Western's Zea Wetzlaugk earned silver in 24.76, while Teagan Vander Leek (Toronto) claimed bronze in 24.89.
Sprint action continued in the men's 50m freestyle, where
Yuri Kisil (UBC) delivered another record-breaking performance. The veteran sprinter touched the wall in 21.31, setting a new U SPORTS championship record after already producing a record swim earlier in the day during preliminaries.
Kisil's performance marked one of the fastest swims ever recorded at the U SPORTS level and added another title to UBC's strong night.
"Nerves are a big part of the game. I just know personally, when my nerves are up here, breathing really helps settle me a bit," Kisil said after setting the record.
The women's 200m breaststroke followed with another impressive swim as Alexanne Lepage (Calgary) captured gold in 2:20.06, continuing a strong championship showing for the Dinos.
The men's 200m breaststroke then produced one of the top swims of the meet as Nathan Thomas (Toronto) powered to the wall in 2:06.26, breaking the U SPORTS championship record to secure the national title.
Justice Migneault (UBC) finished second in 2:07.21, while
Sebastian van de Logt (UBC) took bronze in 2:09.03.
Distance racing followed with the women's 400m freestyle, where
Emma O'Croinin (UBC) delivered a commanding performance. O'Croinin captured gold in 4:06.29, setting a new UBC record while leading the race from start to finish.
Raphaëlle Tremblay (Laval) finished second in 4:13.60, while
Ruby Kehler (UBC) secured bronze in 4:14.63, giving the Thunderbirds two swimmers on the podium.
The men's 400m freestyle produced another impressive showing from UBC, as the Thunderbirds swept the podium.
Aiden Kirk claimed gold in 3:44.87, followed by teammates
Zachary Parise (3:45.52) and
Olivier Risk (3:46.36).
Calgary's Aiden Gyorfi finished fourth in 3:46.39, setting a new University of Calgary record.
Racing resumed with the women's 100m backstroke, where
Bridget Burton (UBC) captured gold in 57.75. Teammate
Piper Mitchell finished second in 59.47, while Rebecca McGrath (McGill) earned bronze in 59.83. Fiona Brophy (McMaster) also set a new program record in the event with a time of 1:01.23.
Another record fell in the men's 100m backstroke, where Andrew Herman (Toronto) delivered a historic swim. Herman touched the wall in 50.56, setting a new U SPORTS championship record to win gold.
Raben Dommann (UBC) finished second in 50.68, while Loïc Courville-Fortin (McGill) took bronze in 51.63, also setting a new McGill record.
The women's 200m medley saw Nina Mollin (Toronto) capture the national title in 2:12.78, with
Jade Lo (UBC) earning silver in 2:13.15 and Abbi Bahler (Toronto) taking bronze in 2:14.17.
Toronto continued its strong showing in the men's 200m medley, where Benjamin Loewen won gold in 1:56.12, setting a new University of Toronto record. Raphael Blamart (Montreal) finished second in 1:58.55, while
Andrew Coombs (UBC) and Ian Cameron (Calgary) shared bronze with identical times of 1:58.77.
Sprint butterfly races added more excitement late in the session. In the women's 50m butterfly,
Eloise Allen (UBC) secured gold, touching the wall in 25.96 ahead of teammate
Rose Garcia (26.65) and Western's Sydney Hardeman (26.63).
The men's 50m butterfly saw
Kai Lilienthal (UBC) capture gold in 22.66, setting another U SPORTS championship record. Eric Ginzburg (York) earned silver in 22.90, while Keir Ogilvie (Victoria) claimed bronze.
The night concluded with the 4x200m freestyle relays. In the women's relay, UBC powered to victory in 7:04.50, breaking the U SPORTS championship record. McGill finished second in 7:09.81, while Montreal secured bronze in 7:14.22.
The men's relay capped off the evening as UBC claimed gold with another 7:04.50 championship record swim. McGill finished second in 7:09.81, while Montreal earned bronze in 7:14.22.
With several championship records already broken and the team titles still very much in play, the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships continue to deliver one of the fastest and most exciting national meets in recent memory as competition in Markham heads into the final day of racing.
