AROUND OUA: McMaster-Toronto Dual Meet

Blues down Marauders in dual meet

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's swimming teams won every race in defeating the McMaster Marauders in dual-meet action on Friday, November 11 in Hamilton, Ont.

Toronto's men topped McMaster 124-35, while the Blues women came up with a 107-51 advantage over Marauders. 
 
"McMaster is in rebuilding mode," said head coach Byron MacDonald. "With a new coach and organization behind him I am sure they will be back challenging for top honours soon."
 
On the men's side, sophomore Osvald Nitski won both the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly. Fellow Hamilton native and rookie Ian Mackinnon also won two races, claiming the top spot in the 200 and 400 freestyle events.
 
"This was a bit of a homecoming for both those boys, as they grew up training in the McMaster pool, so they had a bit more to prove today," said Varsity Blues assistant head coach Linda Kiefer.
 
Solo wins were registered by Cameron Kidd in the 50 breaststroke, rookie Matthew Mac in the 200 backstroke, third-year swimmer Kyle Haas in the 100 backstroke, veteran Matt Dans in the 50 butterfly and Eli Wall in the 100 breaststroke.
 
"Matt and Eli were no surprise as those two are the defending national champions in those events," said MacDonald. "Eli's time was way better than two weeks ago when we were in Calgary so that means he is on the right track."
 
Leading Toronto's women was first-year standout Sophia Saroukian. The Edmonton native won both the 400 freestyle and 400 IM events.
 
"Sophia has been a wonderful addition to our team," said MacDonald. "She brings so much more than just her pedigree as one of the premiere distance swimmers in the country."
 
Five other Blues rookies won races, including Sophie du Plessis in the 50 butterfly, Samantha Kaczor in the 100 backstroke, Lea Zila in the 50 breaststroke, Hannah Genich in the 200 butterfly and Olivia Sbaraglia in the 200 freestyle.
 
"That's a great sign for the future that our rookies are stepping up," added Kiefer. "We had several women unable to swim today so these newcomers stepped in nicely."
 
The two other first-place finishers were sophomore Victoria Wicks in the 100 breaststroke and Heather Lam in the 200 backstroke.

Source: Toronto Varsity Blues