LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The University of Calgary Dinos swim team brought home seven medals in a strong showing to start the 2025 Canada West Championships Friday afternoon from the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre.
Through the first 10 events, the Dinos sit in second place on both the men's and women's side.
Thomas McDonald brought home the first Calgary medal of the weekend in the men's 50 butterfly, touching the wall in 23.93 to earn his way onto the podium.
Ian Cameron also swam in the A-final, finishing with a time of 24.42 for eighth in the incredible tight race.
The Dinos nearly swept the podium in the women's 50 breaststroke.
Alexanne Lepage won the event for the second straight year with a winning time of 30.08.
Isabella Duncan brought home the bronze in 32.21, while
Julianne Moore came in fourth in 32.31. Rookie
Abby Gebhardt made it four in the top-six for the Dinos, touching the wall in 32.41.
On the men's side,
Stephen Moore claimed bronze with a time of 27.55 – less than one-tenth of a second shy from the top spot. Cameron had his second strong finish of the night, placing fourth in 27.60 to add more valuable points.
In the 50 backstroke,
Ethan Fast lived up to his last name and brought home the bronze medal with a time of 24.87. T. McDonald (25.55) and
Henry Sclater (26.07) showed off the Dinos' depth by placing fifth and seventh, respectively.
On the women's side
Hannah Johnsen (29.37) and
Eliza Housman (29.92) finished seventh and eighth in the A-final. Housman also came in sixth earlier in the night in the women's 50 butterfly.
In the distance event of the night,
Emily De Jager led the way for a host of Dinos women in the 800 freestyle with a fourth-place finish in 9:01.57, followed by rookie
Kaitlyn Luu (9:07.94) placing eighth and
Claire Bennett (9:13.93) for ninth.
Four Dinos finished in the top-seven in the men's 1500 freestyle.
Hunter Payne came in fourth in 15:33.55, followed closely by
Aiden Gyorfi (15:45.43),
Patrick McCloy (15:54.65) and
Xavier Pimentel (16:01.60).
Calgary closed out night one with silver medal's in both the men's and women's 800 freestyle relays.
The teams are right back in the pool Saturday at 10 a.m. for prelims, with finals set to start at 5 p.m.
MEN'S TEAM SCORES – DAY 1
1. UBC – 318
2. Calgary – 202
3. Victoria – 114
4. Lethbridge – 71
5. Manitoba – 50
6. Regina – 45
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES – DAY 1
1. UBC – 305.5
2. Calgary 202.5
3. Victoria – 112
4. Lethbridge – 100
5. Manitoba – 47
6. Regina – 40
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