Conference coaches reflect on podium potential and momentum-building in 2022-23
by Corey LeBlanc
The Dalhousie Tigers are primed to continue their dominance in the pool as another Atlantic University Sport (AUS) swimming season gets underway this weekend.
The 2022-23 campaign hits the water with the two-day Amby Legere Invitational at UNB in Fredericton on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.
“Our swimmers are ready to go —we are excited to get the season underway,” Dalhousie head coach Lance Cansdale says. On the women’s side, the only thing that has upended Dalhousie’s unprecedented championship streak since UNB won the 2001 conference banner has been the COVID-19 pandemic, which wiped out the 2021 season. In 2022, the Tigers raced to their 20th title, followed by the Memorial Sea-Hawks (silver) and UNB REDS (bronze), while the Acadia Axewomen and Mount Allison Mounties finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
On the men’s side, the Tigers returned to the top of the podium in 2022 after the program’s streak of 21 consecutive conference banners was snapped by Acadia in 2020, who finished with silver last season, while the Sea-Hawks garnered bronze. The Mounties and Reds came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Golden goals
“Like the last few years, we are very inexperienced,” Cansdale says.
He describes the 13 newcomers as “solid recruits,” some of which will be “potential stars.”
“We haven’t had our first meet yet, so we will see what happens,” he offers, with a laugh, when asked about expectations. A trio of returnees are expected to lead the way for the Tiger men: 2022 AUS swimmer of the year Noah Mascoll-Gomes (St. John’s, Antigua), Logan Sparkes (Agassiz, BC) and Liam Ferguson (Upper Tantallon, NS).
“She is looking great again—ready to go,” Cansdale says of Reagan Crowell (Lakeville, NB), last season’s conference swimmer of the year, who raced to a medal at nationals. He also expects another strong campaign from Emilie Schofield (Miramichi, NB) and Allison McCloy (Calgary, AB), a fifth-year who started her varsity career at the University of Calgary.
Cansdale says the Tigers are focussed on making the podium in every event. He believes that the Tiger women can better their top-10 finish in 2022 at nationals, while—if their depth steps up—the men could race to the top-15, if not be “knocking on the door of the top-10.”
Continuing the process
Noting that Acadia has welcomed a “large rookie class,” head coach Kris Bell says there will be a “full complement of women” on the roster.
Axewomen co-captains Gina Vaillancourt (Saint John, NB) and Elisabeth Morrison (Fredericton, NB) will be counted on to guide a roster full of first-years.
“We have such a phenomenal group coming in—it is impossible to single out anyone,” Bell offers of the 10 newcomers to that side of the program.
The Axemen, who have also added some talented swimmers, expect co-captains Gordon Shortt (Simcoe, ON) and Aaron Day (New Glasgow, NS) to lead the way. Bell also expects a strong campaign from Agaron Ramos (Dartmouth, NS). “He is working hard to put his mark on the team,” he says.
As for season goals, Bell offers, “We want to try to build off last year.” He adds that the focus is on garnering “podium finishes in every event.”
“It is tough to say,” he offers, when asked about expectations for team medals, considering how much university programs have improved. Bell says that everyone is ready to take on the challenge.
Focus on the podium
When it comes to the Sea-Hawks, head coach Chris Roberts says his program boasts a “nice young group of student-athletes,” which is “larger and stronger.”
Kate Williams (St. John’s, NL)—last season’s top rookie, who also qualified for U SPORTS—will be one of the key leaders on the women’s side, along with Natalie Smart, who Roberts describes as a “good prospect.” There are also Meghan Holden (Mount Pearl, NL), Mia Farrell (Conception Bay, NL) and Kathryn Stokes (Logy Bay, NL).
“We expect a lot of podium finishes,” Roberts says of the women’s side at the conference championships.
Matthew Whelan (St. John’s, NL)—the AUS top rookie on the men's side in 2022, who Roberts calls a “superstar”—has looked “very strong” in training. “We expect big things from him,” he says.
Thomas Chafe (St. John’s, NL), who has returned after a year’s absence, and Reilly Swain (Texas, USA) will also be high-end performers.
Roberts says the program is focused on “solidifying” its place in the standings while making improvements in challenging Dalhousie in the relay races.
‘Ready to go’
Mounties head coach Sarah Fellner says her student-athletes are “ready to go.”
“It is pretty exciting,” she adds, noting the “large group of rookies” (17) on the roster.
Fellner is encouraged by the focus on improving steadily by a “really good training group.” One of the key newcomers is Jordan Thomas (Kirkland Lake, ON), along with Makayla Churchill (Moncton, NB). Ryan Duggan (Calgary, AB) will be swimming to shatter his school-best time in the 1,500-metre freestyle.
“We want to score in each event,” Fellner offers, when asked about goals for this season.
The Mounties have also targeted having some qualifiers for the U SPORTS championships.
Building on momentum
UNB head coach Marta Belsh says her program is focused on “building on the momentum from last season.”
“Despite the challenging season and still feeling the effects of the pandemic, we had great results at our conference championship—and the team atmosphere was amazing,” she adds. Belsh notes their recruiting class will be a key to continuing on the desired path.
“Our season-opening competition will be a valuable checkpoint and it will put us on a pathway to build performance,” she says.
Heading to the Rock
After opening weekend, the AUS season will continue with the Jack Scholz AUS Invitational Meet at Acadia in Wolfville (October 29 and 30), Kemp Fry Invitational at Dalhousie in Halifax (November 25-27), UNB/Mount Allison (Sackville, NB) and Acadia/Dalhousie dual meets (Halifax, NS) on January 14, along with a UNB/Mount Allison dual meet in Fredericton (January 21).
Memorial will host the 2023 Subway AUS Swimming Championships—from Friday, February 10 to Sunday, February 12—in St. John’s.
“We are pleased and proud,” Roberts says of having that opportunity, adding it is “very motivational” for everyone involved.
He expects an “electric environment” when the best AUS swimmers gather there in March.
Check out the full 2022-23 AUS swimming schedule here and stream this weekend's Amby Legere Invitational on AUStv.ca