University of Toronto, Loughborough University battle in virtual meet
TORONTO, Ont. - The University of Toronto Varsity Blues and Loughborough University in London, UK battled in an electronic dual meet this past weekend (Nov. 25-26).
Loughborough edged Toronto, with the Blues men falling 122-119 and the women dropping a 134-108 decision.
U of T posted their times from swims done at the Fairweather division championships on Saturday and Sunday at Guelph, while Loughborough swam the exact events in the same order on the same weekend in their home pool.
"This is a great initiative" said Varsity Blues head coach Byron MacDonald. It's new, it's exciting and it gives our athletes, and those in England, another form of motivation."
"The hope is we can translate this momentum into an on-site meting between these two fine teams."
The meets produced some world-class times. U of T's Kylie Masse was impressive with her four individual gold-medal finishes.
"Kylie's 400 freestyle, an event she rarely swims, was the fastest done in the country this year," added MacDonald. "And it was a new varsity record by nearly three seconds. Along with her 100 freestyle performance, which also set a new varsity record."
Eli Wall continues to impress as he swept all three breaststroke races in times that will keep him in position to challenge for gold at the U SPORTS national championships in February.
Third-year standout Osvald Nitski won the 200 butterfly in a country-leading 1:57.84. The men ended up closer to Loughborough due to top swims by Hochan Ryu, Matt Dans, Gael Chaubet and Kyle Haas, who all posed vulictories.
Other women's victories were register by Rachel Rode (tie/50fly), Sarah Polley (200free) and Sophia Saroukian (800 free).
"Sarah Polley was given an intense strength training regime to do at home in Halifax this past summer and she followed it religiously," said MacDonald. "She is swimming best times every time she hits the water. She deserves full marks for her dedication."
Source: Toronto Varsity Blues