Hall of Fame
In only two years with the Varsity Blues, Marie-Therese Armentero earned recognition as truly one of the best swimmers ever to represent the University of Toronto. In 1986-87, she swan the fasted 50-metre freestyle ever recorded at the time in Canada and was ranked #3 in the world in that event. She collected 4 Gold medals at the OWIAA championships and 4 more Golds at the CIAU national meet, earning All-Ontario and All-Canadian status. In recognition of these accomplishments, which included setting three Ontario and three Canadian university records, Marie-Therese was voted the U of T’s Female Athlete of the Year.
In 1987-88, she did even better—5 OWIAA Gold medals (including 3 in record times), 3 more CIAU Golds (including records in 2 individual events and a relay), plus selection as the CIAU Female Swimmer of the Year. Her winning time of 25.47 seconds in the 50m freestyle is still the CIS record some 18 years later!
On the international scene, she won the Bronze medal in the 50m free at the 1986 World Championships in Madrid and followed it up with a Silver at the 1987 World University Games. Marie-Therese represented Switzerland at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games.
A true life-long athlete, in 2003 she set the European Masters record in the 50m freestyle for the ages 35-39 category.
