Toronto vs Florida Atlantic
- November 4, 2023
- Boca Raton, Fla.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: Toronto Athletics
Continuing their U.S. tour, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues swimming teams scored two impressive wins in a dual meet against the Florida Atlantic Owls of Boca Raton on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The Blues were thrilled about the new challenges they encountered in Florida. “I loved the meet,” said U of T swimming head coach Byron MacDonald. “Yes, we won which is nice, but the athletes got to race people they have never seen in an unfamiliar situation (some right off a plane) and responded very well… It’s also fun to do a meet outdoors as the swimmers rarely get to do it–many had never done so!”
WOMEN’S RESULTS:
The Blues women’s team dominated the meet, finishing with a 180.5-78.5 win, while sweeping the podium for the 1650 yard freestyle, 200 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke, 50 yard freestyle, 200 yard backstroke and 100 yard butterfly events.
Katie Schroeder, Shannon Russell, Teagan Vander Leek and Ainsley McMurray opened with the first win of the meet for Toronto in the 4×50 medley relay, setting the tone for a successful evening for the Blues. The first individual event of the meet – the 1650 yard freestyle – showed an incredible start for the women with Katie Marovino, Mahaylia Datars and Amelia Narduzzo sweeping the podium. U of T doubled down on their strong lead as McMurray, Haley Klenk and Teagan McKenzie topped the podium for the 200 yard freestyle.
“Our rookie Katie Schroeder from Langley, B.C. showed why she was one of the top recruits in the country with her four golds today,” detailed MacDonald of the first-year standout. “Katie was a pivotal signing for our team as she will be instrumental in keeping us at the top of the heap.” Along with her first place result with the 4×50 medley relay crew, she also secured the top step in both the 100 and 200 yard backstroke, and the 100 yard butterfly. She was joined on the podium in both backstroke events by Blues teammates Raili Kary and Angelica Bath, and in the butterfly with Klenk and Caroline Carruthers.
Third-year swimmer Shannon Russell continued U of T’s win streak placing first in the 100 yard breaststroke and a close second in the 200 yard breaststroke. Nina Mollin tied for first in the 200 yard butterfly and came third in the 200 yard breaststroke.
Meanwhile, freestyle standout McMurray earned a trio of first place results in the individual events, winning the 50, 100 and 200 yard freestyle events. “Ainsley is a rock, she always rises to the occasion” assured coach MacDonald. “Just like last week against Rutgers in New York, Ainsley once again won all four of her races.”
Rounding out the women’s competition, distance specialist Marovino and recent Ironman competitor Datars dominated the 500 yard freestyle, finisihing 1-2.
MEN’S RESULTS:
The Varsity Blues men secured their Saturday win defeating the Owls in a close battle 139-121.
The Blues started off strong with Quinn Matteis and Jacob Gallant coming in first and second for the 1650 yard freestyle. Rookie Bill Dongfang, one of the highlights of the night, claimed first in the 200 yard freestyle, while fellow freshman Andrew Herman won the 100 yard backstroke. Coming off a recent trip to the Pan Am Games, U of T veteran Gabriel Mastromatteo placed first in the 200 yard breaststroke and second in the 100 yard breaststroke and 100 yard butterfly.
Toronto then jumped ahead of the home side halfway through the meet with Benjamin Loewen, Michael Sava and Dongfang sweeping the podium for the 200 yard butterfly. Third-year swimmer Liam Weaver then won the following event – the 50 yard freestyle. And the U of T men then earned their second podium sweep of the event as Loewen, Carter Buck and Herman took over the 200 yard backstroke.
Matteis concluded the meet capturing the Blues last points of the night, finishing second in the 500 yard freestyle.
Triumphant over the Florida Atlantic Owls, the Varsity Blues will next serve as host for the OUA Fairweather Division Championship taking place at U of T’s Athletic Centre from November 25-26. Until then, the Blues are set to continue training in Florida for the next week, as part of their yearly training camp.
Courtesy: FAU Sports
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men and women’s swimming teams wrapped up an intense and busy weekend with a home meet against the University of Toronto on Saturday afternoon.
Competing in their second meet in as many days, the Owls fought hard with many swimmers setting new personal bests, a perfect tune-up for the upcoming midseason Patriot Invitational.
Men
- The men took victories in both the 200 medley and 200 free relays. The 200 medley team of Peyton Ming, Dalton Lillibridge, Jackson Kirk, and Jacob Rubin recorded a time of 1:28.48, while Jack Sheehan, Jake Bair, Logan Thornsberry, and Rubin won with a time of 1:22.07
- Lillibridge earned a victory in the 100 breast (54.43)
- Sheehan (45.58) and Kirk (45.77) took first and second, respectively, in the 100 free
- Timo Paisley captured first in the 500 free (4:32.54)
- Ming continued his excellent season with a win in the 100 fly (49.50)
Women
- Freshman Nula Gow impressed with a win in the 200 breast (2:16.65)
- Yasmine Safargar took second place in the 400 IM (4:22.96)
- The women closed out the afternoon with a victory in the 200 free relay, with Izzy Jones, Bry Bellile, Maggie Casey, and Lydia Lanahan combining for a time of 1:35.43
The Owls will enjoy a weekend of rest before heading to Fairfax, Va. for their midseason Patriot Invitational from Nov. 16 – 18.
