Dinos swim to second place at Nationals

By Andrew Ross

Poor Megan Kinsella. The second-year swimmer–one of the older women on the Dino squad–was unable to lead her team to victory at last weekend’s Canadian International Athletic Union championships. Despite optimism from both the men and women swimmers, both teams were unable to defeat their arch-rivals, the University of British Columbia Thunder-birds. However, both teams did manage respectable second-place finishes.

"The team as a whole did really well," said Julia Wright. "We pulled together, we were the loudest cheerers. We had a lot of first-year swimmers who really stepped up and placed well."

In addition to the solid team results, the Dinos brought home two prestigious individual awards. Olympian Rick Say established a new CIAU record in the 400m freestyle, and won two other gold medals which earned him the Male Swimmer of the Meet award. Dinos swimming Head Coach Mike Blondal was the other recipient, named CIAU Male Coach of the Year.

"Mike was thoroughly surprised that he won the award [for best male swimming coach]," Wright explained. "He credited it to Rick Say winning the best swim of the meet."

A combined total of nine records fell at the Guelph pool over the course of the three-day event.

"It was a lot faster," Wright remarked. "Numerous Olympians had decided to swim for their universities."

They will attempt to dethrone the long-reigning Thunderbirds next season at home, as the 2002 CIAU championships will be hosted by UBC.

"Next year!" laughed Wright. "Next year will be our turn to win."