CALGARY – Olympian Erica Morningstar has confirmed that she will swim for the University of Calgary in 2008-09, the Dinos swimming program announced Tuesday.

A member of the Calgary Patriots swim club, the 19-year-old Morningstar is the Canadian record holder in both the 100-metre freestyle and the 200-metre IM, representing Canada in both events at the Beijing Olympics in August.

“Erica brings a great deal to an already strong team,” said Mike Blondal, the 2008 CIS men's coach of the year. “Her versatility, performance, and incredible attitude will have an immediate impact.

“Dinos swimming is committed to excellence not only at the CIS and national levels but also on the world stage. We have specific goals for 2012 and our organization will provide our athletes with everything they need to be successful throughout the next quadrennial, with the goal of podium performances in London.”

Morningstar joins fellow Olympian Mike Brown on the Dinos' roster for 2008-09. Brown finished fourth in the men's 200-metre breaststroke by just 0.09 seconds in Beijing.

At the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Morningstar posted her best time in the 100-metre freestyle at 54.08, fifth best in the world.

Morningstar has been coached by Patriots head coach Jamie Connors throughout her development, and Blondal attributes her significant international potential to his tutelage.

“Jamie has been Erica's coach through all of her age group years, and he has really done an exceptional job developing her to a world-class level.”

The Dinos women's swimming team has significantly closed the gap with archrival UBC in recent years, cutting the team deficit to just 57 points at the 2008 CIS championships in Vancouver. The Dinos are defending Canada West champions and, following another solid recruiting year, will look to upend the Thunderbirds next February.

Calgary has finished second to UBC for eight straight years at the national championships, and Blondal is optimistic the Dinos will challenge for their first-ever CIS title this year.

“Through the extraordinary support of the Calgary Foundation for Swimming Excellence, we've been able to bring several top athletes into our program,” Blondal said. “We finally beat UBC for the CIS men's title last year, and I know we have the ability to work hard enough to win the women's title this year as well.”

UBC hosts the CIS Championships Feb. 19-21, 2009 in Vancouver.

-UC-