VANESSA TREASURE
- University of Toronto
- 5th year
- Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
- Studying: Kinesiology
- Height: 5-7
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NICKNAMES: “Vaness, Nessie and Beyoncé, I’m always dancing!”
FAVOURITE CIS MEMORY: “One of my favourite CIS memories was in 2012 during my 200m IM. I had won the 400m IM earlier in the meet but had never been as confident in the 200, so I wasn’t expecting a win in that one. I dove in and was swimming the first length of breaststroke, got to the wall and realized I wasn’t even tired yet. At that point I decided maybe I could win it. So I turned around, killed the last 75, and to my surprise got my hand on the wall first. It was a great feeling and a huge confidence boost for me in the 200.”
Vanessa Treasure is in her last year of CIS competition and has been one of Toronto’s most important point scorers, making four finals every year since her 2011 CIS Championships debut.
Treasure’s focus has been predominantly the IM races, taking silver in the 400m IM at last year’s CIS Championships. In her career Treasure has earned herself two CIS Championship wins with 2012 titles in the 200 and 400 IM. Since then she’s earned three medals including the 400m IM silver from last season.
Now, it’s her last CIS Championships and with a lot on the line Treasure is rearin’ to go. “This is my final CIS Championships and I’m looking to make it a fabulous one. I am fully prepared for this competition. It is my main focus and I am fully rested and ready to go,” said Treasure.
Treasure is going to be swimming the medleys again, with the 400 being her main focus. “The goal is a podium finish and I’m always looking for personal bests. This being my final CIS Championships, I’m looking to go out on a high note. The 400m IM is by far by best event so the 200s will definitely be a challenge, but I’ll ‘do my thang’ and score some points for my team in those too.”
As a major point scorer and veteran for Toronto, Treasure has seen it all. This Championships will be different however due to the long course format, and although Treasure loves short course, she and the rest of the Varsity Blues are fully prepared for the upcoming competition.
“Our coach Byron MacDonald has always told us that you need to be 30 per cent fitter to be fast long course. Our team has trained exceptionally well and is prepared physically and mentally for the long course challenge.”
Treasure will have to compete with UBC’s Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson in the medleys. Steltrenreich Hodgson was the winner last year in the 400m IM, and represented Canada internationally at both the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Games in the event.
Treasure’s experience will definitely play a huge factor in tight races such as the medleys which are packed with some of the toughest competitors in the nation. Besides her individual skill however, the fact that Treasure is so versatile is very important for the Toronto roster, and Treasure is very happy with the other swimmers on the team.
“We’ve picked up some awesome new girls this year and only two graduated last year so we are certainly a force to be reckoned with this time around. Watch out for rookie sensation, Kylie Masse. She will be a big point scorer for us.”
Masse broke out onto the scene at the OUA Championships a few weeks ago with an incredible 100m backstroke which is currently ranked the fastest time in the CIS. Last season the Toronto women finished fourth overall, out of a podium spot, but this year with their recent additions Treasure believes they can move up in the rankings.
“The goal is a top three finish. With 15 girls on our roster I think we’re in a good position to achieve that.”
Being her last run in the CIS, Treasure is excited to be part of the team atmosphere one last time. “The CIS is a totally different scene than other Canadian swimming. I always find the focus shifts from splits and times to just racing and scoring points for your team. It brings a little more of a team component to this very individualized sport. It makes it fun, and when I’m having fun, I swim fast.”
