Two UVic-PCS swimmers, MacKenzie Downing (200 Butterfly) and Nicholas Sinclair (200 Freestyle), are among the swimmers representing Canada at the 25th World University (FISU) Games in Shenzhen, China. MacKenzie Downing, who will be competing in her third FISU Games, will also be Team Canada’s flag bearer for the event. In 2007, she won gold (100 fly), silver (200 fly) and bronze (4x100 medley) medals at these Games. The Summer Universiade is the second largest multisport event in the world, trailing only the Olympics.
From Magog, Québec, Canada. Zac Parkes, one of Swimming Canada's most promising young swimmers, talks about open water swimming and his future after winning the Traversée Internationale du Lac Memphrémagog 10K amateur race in Magog, Québec today....
Read more and see the video interview with Zachere.
The Canadian Age Group Nationals concluded today with the open water events and PCS swimmers found the podium in both the girls and boys races.
Vicki Mock tied for the bronze in the 14yo girls category in a field of 25. Heidi Ullrich placed 11th in the 13yo girls.
In the boys event, Zac Parkes won the gold medal, taking 1st in the 17-18yo boys category in a field of 30 swimmers. In the 16yo boys event, there were 25 swimmers and Evan Letkeman placed 7th, while Aidan Thirkell finished 9th.
The fourth evening started with an emotional rush. Lauren Crisp, at her first Age Group Nationals, dropped 2 seconds from her best time to snatch the bronze in 100 Backstroke. Her 2nd 50 eclipsed her first half as she drove for the wall.
Ryan Howe, also in the 100 BK, struggled with the lane rope but stayed focused to finish 5th.
The third day of competition in Montreal was very strong for the UVPCS squad. While most athletes improved on their previous bests there were numerous stand out swims.
Two more trips to the finals for PCS swimmers on Day 2 of the Age Group Nationals.
Lauren Crisp made the finals in Montreal going in 8th and had a great swim going 33.30 finishing 5th in the 12 & U age group, with probably one of the best 50 Back times in the country for an 11 year old.
Ryan Howe swam to a 3rd place finish in the 15 yo 50 Back tonight going 28.69 for the Bronze !
Day 1 of the Canadian Age Group Nationals saw several medal and personal best performances by PCS swimmers. Here are summaries of the preliminaries and finals from Coach Rod.