Results

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's and women's swimming teams defeated the McMaster Marauders in dual-meet action on Saturday, October 17 at Varsity Pool.
 
Toronto's men defeated McMaster 93-35 in their season-opening meeting, while the Blues women topped the Marauders 92-40.

"It's always great to get back into the meat of the season and start competing," said Varsity Blues head coach Byron MacDonald. "There were some highs and lows, which is to be expected this early in the season, but Teagan and Elijah were definitely in end-of-season form. They swam so fast. It was quite impressive and bodes very well for a great season for them."
 
WOMEN'S RESULTS: Fifth-year veteran Teagan Vander Leek led the Blues with three victories in the 50 free (25.64), 50 fly (27.14) and 100 IM (1:03.17), while also anchoring the final relay with a come-from-behind impressive split.
 
Milena Cosic added two wins on the day. She won the 150 freestyle in 1:30.66 and the 150 backstroke in 1:39.49 while also placing second in the 50 backstroke (29.83), behind her twin sister, Maria Cosic (29.01).
 
Single victories were recorded by Julie Nola-McCarthy in the 150 breaststroke (1:49.37), Katie Marovino in the 400 freestyle (4:24.76) and Angel Yao in the 150 butterfly (1:38.36).

"I should mention why we race the 'odd' distance of 150m," said MacDonald. "Normal distances are either the 100m or the 200m. It's so odd that the master meet data file (used for all meets in the world) could not handle the results and spit it out as a non-swim. We did it as a lead-in to better 200m swims in meets coming up. The goal was to do the same time at this 150m race as you would do at the end of the season at the 150m mark of the 200m race. It also takes away the stress of aiming for a best time this early. Overall, I think it was a wise decision as the swimmers definitely attacked the races with more intensity knowing it was a bit shorter."
 
MEN'S RESULTS: Second-year standout Elijah Daley recorded a trio of victories to lead Toronto's men. The political science and philosophy major from Bermuda won the 100 IM (55.24), 150 butterfly (1:25.10) and 50 breaststroke (28.68).
 
In his first meet as a Varsity Blue, York Lions transfer Eric Ginzburg won a pair of races, touching the wall first in both the 50 butterfly (23.71) and 50 freestyle (22.50).

"Eric is a sprint stud and his U SPORTS pedigree meant he was favoured to do well and did not disappoint," added MacDonald.
 
Five other Blues won their races: Louis Low in the 150 freestyle (1:21.33), Ben Winterborn in the 50 backstroke (24.56), Logan Milne in the 150 breaststroke (1:41.57), Mateusz Powalowski in the 400 freestyle (4:00.81) and Leo Rafnsson in the 150 backstroke (1:25.01).

"We don't often get to say "we have a swimmer from Iceland" on the team but Leo is just that," said MacDonald. "His mom was doing her PhD at U of T when Leo was born twenty years ago so his decision to come to Toronto had some extra leverage. His outstanding swim today puts him right in the discussion for medals at U SPORTS."
 
The Blues are back in action next weekend as they head to Calgary for a dual-meet with the Dinos, October 24-25.