The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's swimming teams placed first overall at the 2023 OUA Merrily Stratten division championships this weekend (Nov. 25-26) at the Athletic Centre.
 
TEAM SCORES: Toronto's men finished the weekend with 1058 points, ahead of the Waterloo Warriors (812), Western Mustangs (796) and Guelph Gryphons (416). The Blues women tallied 1240 points, ahead of Western (810), Waterloo (619) and Guelph (416). 
 
WOMEN'S RESULTS: The Blues women won all but four races over the two-day meet. It was a team effort for the Blues, with three swimmers finishing with three wins each. Rookie Katie Schroeder took the top spot in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter backstroke. The Langley, B.C. also picked up a third-place finish in the 50 butterfly. 
 
Fifth-year veteran Ainsley McMurray swept the freestyle category, picking up victories in the 50, 100 and 200 race. 2022-23 Blues women's rookie of the year Nina Mollin placed first in the 100 and 200 butterfly, as well as the 400 individual medley (IM) event. 
 
Mahaylia Datars took top spot in the 800 freestyle, while sophomore Teagan McKenzie topped the 400 freestyle. 
 
"Teagan's swims were all best times in years and culminated with her upset victory in the 400m freestyle. I love to see that because Teagan has taken care of herself so well in terms of being fit and focused on doing well," Varsity Blues head coach Byron MacDonald said. "We win championships because of people like Teagan on the team."
 
MEN'S RESULTS: It was another strong divisional championship for the men, taking home 13 victories, including breaking two Varsity Blues record. In one of his four victories this weekend, Ben Loewen broke a decade old record when he swam 53.53 in the 100 backstroke. The Toronto, Ont. native also picked up victories in the 100 and 200 butterfly, as well as the 400 IM. 
 
Rookie Andrew Herman broke the record for the 50 backstroke with a time of 24.82 in the 200 medley relay. The kinesiology major also won the 50 and 200 backstroke events. 
 
"Andrew was unknown a year ago, partially because he swam in California; and partially because he really had not received the training he needed to advance to the elite level." MacDonald said. "All his swims were best times and he has a very bright future in the sport."
 
 
Graeme Aylward recorded three victories of his own through the weekend. The industrial engineering major won the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke events. Liam Weaver and Jacob Gallant won the 50 freestyle and 200 IM events, respectively.  
 
Quinn Matteis touched the wall first in the 400 and 1500 freestyle races. 
 
UP NEXT: The Blues return to action in the New Year when they host York University on Saturday, January 13 at 11 a.m.