Western Mustangs women’s swimming team member Hayley Nell took home six gold medals and set and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) record in the 100-metre freestyle at the OUA championship Feb. 6-8 in Ottawa.
Brittney Cooper also won five gold medals at the event, held at the University of Ottawa’s Montpetit Hall.
Nell and Cooper, with teammates Alyssa Molenaar and Lenore Chesworth also set a new OUA mark in 800-metre freestyle relay. The same foursome also combined to set another OUA record in the 400-metre freestyle relay.
Nell’s performances won her the OUA outstanding female swimmer of the meet award for a second straight year, while Cooper won the Dr. Jeno Tihanyi Award for top female individual medley swimmer (presented by Alex Bauman).
Western’s gold medal team win snapped Toronto’s eight-year winning streak in women’s swimming at the OUA level.
Meanwhile, Western’s men were in tough all weekend, but swam strong throughout the meet to end up in second place behind perennial power Toronto.
Bryn Jones led the way two gold medals, while Chris Bento also contributed with a breakthrough meet, winning silver medals in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle races.
Ten Mustangs were added to the Western team to attend CIS Championships at the University of British Columbia. A total of 17 swimmers have now qualified to represent the Mustangs over the Feb 19-21 weekend in Vancouver, B.C.
Head Coach Paul Midgley was awarded OUA women’s coach of the year honours.
“Coaches always thank their staff after winning an award like this,” said Midgley who also coached with Canada’s Olympic team in Beijing this past summer. “This year it is more true than ever. Without the support of coaches Andrew Craven, Ken Fitzpatrick, Ryan Atkison, Andrew Dragunus and Rose Sury, this would never have happened.”
For full results visit https://geegees.ca/swimming.