LONG BEACH, CA - With two top finishes at the open water world championship trials this week, University of Toronto swimmer Zsofi Balazs has qualified to compete in her second consecutive world championship, July 17-23, in Roberval, Que.

Balazs, who was sidelined with injury during her first year of intercollegiate competition, solidified her spot on the national squad as the top Canadian, 11th overall, in the 10km on Friday (2:05:46.840). The Toronto native followed up on Monday with a third-place finish in the 5km (1:00:08.411) to qualify for both events.

“I’m very happy with the performance,” said Balazs. “I haven’t done a five kilometre race in a long time but the fact I had a spot already in the 10 kilometre, I felt less pressure and just did my best. The big difference today was using my legs a lot more. I made sure I was kicking and had my stroke down pat.”

A first-year psychology major, Balazs finished 33rd at last year’s 10km world championship in Rome, Italy with a time of 2:02.24.3. She was the first Canadian to finish and was only 47.2 seconds behind first-place Anne-Keri Payne of Great Britain.

Fellow U of T swimmer Heather Maitland also competed in the 5km in Long Beach. The Toronto native was the third Canadian and eighth swimmer to cross the finish line in a time of 1:02:58.326.

Full Results 

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.