Traveling across the Atlantic the Loughborough, England, 10 Varsity Blues swimmers helped the U SPORTS all-star team claim victory in the inaugural Canada-Great Britain Dual Meet.

Joined by 20 other U SPORTS all-stars from across the country to represent Canada, the Canada-Great Britain Dual Meet saw a match-up with some of the very best from across BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). The two day event saw Canadian swimmers earn gold in 26 of 40 total events.

"What a successful dual meet!" exclaimed Varsity Blues swimming head coach Byron MacDonald, who also served as head coach for the U SPORTS all-stars. "The number of team members that swam lifetime bests was impressive and shows the value of this initiative for sure. I just love the excitement and smiles all around from both teams during such a great event."

On the women's side, 2025 OUA Women's Swimmer of the Year Nina Mollin picked up first place finishes in both the 100m and 200m butterfly, along with the 200m IM. Sprint specialist Teagan Vander Leek added a bronze for the Blues in the 100m freestyle, along with a fifth place result in the 50m freestyle. Rounding out the swimmers from the U of T women's team, Angelica Bath placed sixth in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.

For the Varsity Blues men, 2025 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Nathan Thomas captured gold in the 100m and 200m breaststroke races. Also grabbing double gold, Andrew Herman took first in both the 50m and 100m backstroke races. Taking both the first and second step in the 200m butterfly, Bill Dongfang touched in first followed by Michael Sava in second. Distance specialist Quinn Matteis earned three medals with gold in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 400m freestyle, and bronze in the 800m freestyle. Albert Bouley snatched gold in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 50m butterfly. And rounding out a busy two days of competition, Ben Winterborn added silver in boh the 50m and 100m backstroke races, along with a fifth place finish in the 200m freestyle.

"This overseas tour may be one of the most important things the coaches have done for U SPORTS swimming," said MacDonald about the initiative. "It has provided the athletes with such a motivational push and a great, fun, experience They get to compete in an international setting that is exciting and will help to advance their swimming careers."