UBC widens lead on Day 2 of CW Swim Championships

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. The UBC Thunderbirds continued to set the pace on Day 2 of the 2025 Canada West Swimming Championships, breaking multiple conference records and widening their lead in both the men's and women's standings at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre.

UBC heads into the final day with 707.5 points on the women's side and 719.5 on the men's. Calgary sits second with 496.5 and 529.5. Victoria remains third with 286 on the women's side and 283 on the men's. Host Lethbridge holds fourth with 223 points for the men and 192 for the women, followed by Manitoba and Regina.

Record-breaking performances highlight the session

UBC opened the night with a standout swim from Olympian Kayla Sanchez, who lowered her own Canada West record in the women's 50 metre freestyle. Sanchez touched in 23.90 to break the mark she set in 2024. Calgary’s Eliza Housman was second in 25.35 and Manitoba’s Ella Howe grabbed her program’s first medal of the meet in 25.50.

In the men’s 50 metre freestyle, UBC’s Yuri Kisil reclaimed the conference record he set in 2017. Kisil stopped the clock in 21.50 to eclipse his previous standard of 21.78. His teammate Siu Lun Ho placed second in 22.62 and Calgary’s Gibson Black was third in 22.65.

UBC closed the session with two more Canada West records, sweeping both 400 metre freestyle relays. The women finished in 3:36.54 to break the program’s previous mark. The men set a new standard in 3:14.90. Lethbridge earned bronze in the women’s race with a time of 3:47.76.

Thunderbirds extend their dominance

The Thunderbirds secured several event sweeps, beginning with the women's 100 metre butterfly. Sela Wist won in 1:00.00, edging teammates Benya Mattig in 1:00.65 and Brooklyn Wiens in 1:00.66.

UBC also swept the podium in the women's 200 metre backstroke. Bridget Burton won in 2:06.75, followed by Emma O’Cronin in 2:11.50 and second-year swimmer Piper Mitchell in 2:13.61.

The Birds continued to stack podium finishes in the men's 400 metre individual medley, with Aiden Kirk taking gold in 4:14.69 and teammate Jaques Harrison earning silver in 4:15.96.

Harrison added another medal later in the session with gold in the men's 200 metre backstroke in 1:55.91. UBC’s Raben Dommann earned silver in 1:58.26 and Calgary’s Ewan Shearer finished third in 2:00.04.

Lepage continues to shine for the Dinos

Calgary’s Alexanne Lepage earned her second gold of the meet in the women's 400 metre individual medley in 4:41.05. She also won the women's 100 metre breaststroke in 1:05.54. UBC’s Eloise Allen took silver in 1:06.64 and Lethbridge’s Ryenne Katerhagen claimed bronze, giving the Pronghorns their first women's medal of the championships.

In the men's 100 metre butterfly, Calgary secured a one-two finish. Nicholas Duncan won in 51.93 and teammate Thomas McDonald followed in 52.72. UBC’s Wells Ginzer finished third in 52.76.

The Dinos also earned silver and a share of bronze in the men's 100 metre breaststroke. UBC’s Justice Migneault placed first in 59.62. Calgary's Duncan finished in 59.86 for second, while the Dinos’ Ian Cameron and UBC’s Ethan Hemeon tied for third in 59.92.

Additional highlights

Sanchez returned to the top of the podium in the women's 200 metre freestyle, winning in 1:55.49. UBC’s Ruby Kehler finished second in 2:02.43 and Calgary’s Myriam Hickey was third in 2:02.95.

In the men's 200 metre freestyle, UBC took the top two spots. Paul Hebrard won gold in 1:47.92 and Jake Gaunt finished second in 1:48.15. Victoria’s Keir Ogilvie earned bronze in 1:49.10.

Final day ahead

The 2025 Canada West Swimming Championships conclude Sunday in Lethbridge. Prelims begin at 9 a.m. MDT with the finals set for 3 p.m. MDT.

A full schedule and live results are available on the event homepage. All sessions are streamed live on CanadaWest.TV.

Team Scores

WOMEN
UBC – 707.5
Calgary – 496.5
Victoria – 286
Lethbridge –223
Manitoba-117
Regina– 93
 
MEN
UBC – 719.5
Calgary –   529.5
Victoria – 283
Lethbridge –192
Manitoba-112
Regina– 79