TORONTO – Competing for the first time since claiming their record-breaking 22nd Canada West Men's Championship back in November, the University of Calgary Dinos men's and women's swim teams settled to split the weekend after taking on the Toronto Varsity Blues and Ottawa Gee Gees out East at the U of T's Varsity Pool.

On the way to seven individual event wins, the Dinos men and women came out victorious against the Ottawa Gee Gees and fell to the host Blues, 92-62 and 97-57, respectively. 

Leading the way once again for Calgary's women was rookie Alexanne Lepage, who had her first taste of racing against Eastern teams. The Canada West Swimmer of the Year picked up three individual wins in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.33), 200 breaststroke (2:27.59) and 200 individual medley (2:13.41). 

Fellow Calgary first-year Hayley French set a new lifetime best to win the women's 200 butterfly in 2:16.86. French led the race from start to finish, splitting 30.31 through the first 50 meters, and managed to hang on for the win as Toronto's Nina Mollin tried to claw back in the final stretch. 

Nathan Versluys showed his endurance when he swept the field in both the 400 and 800 freestyle events. After winning his third consecutive CW gold in the men's 400 freestyle, Versluys clocked 3:53.31 to win the event over the weekend. Within 90 minutes, the Calgary swimmer blew the competition out of the water in the 800 freestyle, splitting 57.31 through the final 100 meters and dropping 12.5 seconds to hit the wall first in 7:57.26 ahead of his next closest competitor, Toronto's Quinn Matteis finishing in 8:18.37. 

Currently en route to Doha, Qatar for the 2024 World Aquatic Championships, Calgary's Stephen Calkins made a quick stop in Toronto to race for the Scarlet and Gold, winning the men's 100 freestyle in 48.85. 

In their final tune up for the 2024 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, the Dinos will play host to the annual Colleges Cup – Mountain this Friday and Saturday at the UCalgary Aquatic Center. 

-UC-