Tigers roar at 2022 Amby Legere Invitational

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Dalhousie Tigers captured top spots in the women’s, men’s, and combined team competitions at UNB’s Amby Legere Invitational, the first meet of the 2022-2023 Atlantic University Sport swimming season. 

The two-day event wrapped up Sunday, at UNB’s Sir Max Aitken Pool, with the Tigers winning 10 of the day’s 17 events, and 20 of the meet’s 35 races. 

“I thought we swam better than last year, depth-wise and some of the quality,” said Cansdale. “We saw a few surprises, and this has been, in my opinion, a good measure of where we are.” 

The Tigers were led by Reagan Crowell who won the women’s 400-metre freestyle and 50-metre butterfly, and Allison McCloy, who won the women’s 200-metre butterfly and 200-metre individual medley. 

Acadia’s Sophie Rooney was a double-winner, taking top spot in the women’s 50 and 100-metre backstroke events. 

In the 100 back, Rooney beat teammate Grace Earle. UNB’s Ella Lightheart finished third, just 3/10ths of a second back of the Axewomen duo. 

“I was really excited to race,” said Lightheart. “It’s one of my favourite events. I was a little nervous before I got into it, but as soon as I dove in, I was excited. As soon as I surfaced, I picked up my stroke rate and it was good to get into it.” 

Other Dalhousie winners on Sunday, were Kate Tuck, who won the women’s 100-metre individual medley, and Logan Sparkes, who won the men’s 400-metre freestyle. Sparkes also led a Dal podium sweep in the men’s 200-metre individual medley.  

Dal’s Liam Ferguson was first in the men’s 50-metre backstroke and teammate Isaac Bahler swam to victory in the men’s 200-metre butterfly. 

Acadia’s Gordon Shortt won the men’s 100-metre individual medley as well as the men’s 50-metre butterfly. In the 50 fly, Shortt finished 3/100ths of a second ahead of Dal’s Liam Ferguson and 3/10ths ahead of teammate Dean Sangster. 

Adam Deutsch was first in the men’s 200-metre breaststroke, a race that saw Ethan Nestoruk, of the host UNB REDS swim to a third-place finish, his second podium finish in his first AUS meet. 

“It’s an exciting way to start the season,” said Nestoruk. “I hope I can keep going up and I’m really excited to see what I can do come AUS. It’s mindset. This team has had a lot to offer me, and I think the support I’ve got has been unreal. There’s a real healthy environment here.” 

Acadia’s Aaron Day won the men’s 100-metre backstroke, beating teammate Shane Kenny by 1/10th of a second. 

Mount Allison’s Jordan Thomas finished first in the women’s 200-metre breaststroke. 

In the meet-ending 8-by-50-metre mixed relay, Dalhousie beat UNB. Acadia was third. 

Next on the AUS swimming schedule, Acadia’s Jack Scholz Invitational, October 29th and 30th.