Blues top Marauders in Dual Meet at McMaster

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's swimming teams defeated the McMaster Marauders in dual-meet action on Saturday, October 18 in Hamilton, Ont.

The two-time CIS defending champion men topped the Marauders 194.5-171.5, while the OUA defending champion Blues women beat McMaster by a margin of 207-179.

"We swam faster than I thought," said head coach Byron MacDonald. "We divide the fall into four, three-week blocks and the first two blocks are intense training without racing. It went well. Now we enter the three weeks of real hard racing every weekend and training hard so it can be a challenge. But tonight was pretty good indication that we are on track."

In women's action, four Varsity Blues earned double gold.

Co-captain Vanessa Treasure won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke events, while fellow veteran Paige Schultz won the 100 freestyle and butterfly races.

Rookie Kylie Masse won the 50 butterfly and the 200 backstroke and fourth-year Bridget Coley of Hamilton, Ont., won the 200 and 400 freestyle races in the pool she grew up training in.

"This was a real breakthrough for Bridget," said MacDonald. "She had a not-so-great season last year and these swims today show that she has crawls out from that hole and is again a force to be reckoned with. Most don't make it back so this is great step forward for Bridget and I am quite happy for her."

On the men's side, Matthew Myers was a double winner in the 200IM and 100 freestyle, while sophomore Eli Wall won both breaststroke events. The team's depth was on stage as seven other men won events.

One of those was Daniel Kuiack of Barrie, Ont.

"Dan swam six five seconds faster today than last year at this time," added MacDonald. "He was named to Canada's Junior Pan Pacific team that competed in Hawaii in August and I think it opened his eyes. He has stepped up to another level."

Third year co-captain David Riley was also way under his normal times for this time of year.

"David has boosted his training this season with new strength coaches Alanna and Adrian and it's paying off. We are using an unconventional program of lifting every day and it's working so far," said MacDonald.

The Varsity Blues return to action next Saturday, October 25 as they host the Laurier Golden Hawks and York Lions in a tri meet at Varsity Pool. The following Friday, the Blues travel to Montreal to take on the Carabins in dual-meet action.

Source: Toronto Varsity Blues