It's all come down to the wire for 19 UBC swimmers who are currently competing in Olympic trials in Montreal. The competition marks the end of a sensational season and many are expected to earn the right to represent Canada in Sydney this year.
"They have done a superb job of preparing themselves," says head coach Tom Johnson. "We want to reap the benefits of all that work by getting as many UBC swimmers on the Olympic team as possible." The trials have been the focus of a season which included an historic performance at the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) Swimming Championships at the University of Guelph last month. Both the men's and women's teams dominated the three-day meet to successfully defend their titles, becoming the only swimming teams in CIAU history to record double championships for three consecutive years.
For the second consecutive year Jessica Deglau accomplished the rare feat of winning the maximum six gold medals (200-metre and 800-metre freestyle, 100-metre and 200-metre fly, 4x100-metre medley relay and her first in the 800-metre freestyle). She was named CIAU Women's Swimmer of the Year.
Mark Johnston earned five gold medals (200-metre, 400-metre and 1500-metre freestyle, 4x100-metre and 4x200-metre freestyle). He was selected Canada West Swimmer of the Meet.
Johnson was presented with the CIAU Coach of the Year award for both the men's and women's teams.