The University of Toronto Varsity Blues swimming team defeated the Western Mustangs in dual meet action on Saturday, January 10 at Varsity Pool.
 
The OUA and CIS defending champion men won 89-55, while the reigning provincial champion women took it 84.5-60.5. The Blues came out on top over their Ontario rivals. 

"I was worried going into the meet," said Varsity Blues head coach Byron MacDonald, "We have not raced in six weeks due to the school calendar and we just returned from an intense training camp down South so the athletes might not have been race sharp. However, my fears were put to rest immediately as  everyone was swimming just like they were in November - they had not missed a beat."
 
Leading the way once again for U of T's women were veteran standouts Paige Schultz and Vanessa Treasure. A Toronto native in her fourth year of eligibility, Schultz won the 50 and 100 freestyle races, as well as the 200 backstroke event.
 
Treasure, a Mississauga native in her final year with the Blues, won the 100 and 200 breaststroke events as well as the 200 individual medley (IM).

"Vanessa is the leader of the team and she can take the team on her shoulders and carry them in both performance and spirit," said MacDonald. 
 
Rookie sensation Kylie Masse of LaSalle, Ont., took the top spot in the 100 backstroke and butterfly, while distance specialist Bridget Coley (Hamilton, Ont.) won the 200 and 400 freestyle events.
 
Toronto's men showed their versatility, with nine different gold medalists in 11 possible races.
 
The Blues lone double winner was sophomore standout Eli Wall (Ottawa), who out-touched his opponents in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke races.

"Eli is one of the hardest workers and most dedicated swimmers on the team," said MacDonald. "His times today were a shock to both me and him. They were way faster than he has ever done in the middle of the season. It's a great sign."

Fellow second-year swimmer Hochan Ryu, last year's OUA male rookie of the year, won the 200 IM, while Chris Manning, Mitch Ferraro and Oliver Straszynski won the 50, 100 and 400 freestyle races, respectively.
 
Edward Liu and sophomore Alex Magnan won the 100 and 200 butterfly events, while rookie Kyle Haas and veteran Mitch MacLean won the 100 and 200 backstroke races.
 
Full Results

Meet Records
 
The Varsity Blues return to the pool next weekend, January 16-17, as half of the team will remain home to host the Winter Cup at Varsity Pool and the other half will head to Montreal for the Eastern Cup. Following that, U of T travels to Ottawa, February 5-7, to defending their provincial titles at the 2015 OUA championships hosted by the Gee-Gees.
 
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