Audrey Prayal-Brown is about to go through a brand new experience. She’s used to it.
She’s been a back-up goalie for the Tigers women’s soccer team, a triple jump athlete for the Tigers track and field team and a rugby player. Now she’s going to compete in the Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) swimming championships, which will be hosted at ±«Óătv from February 10-12.
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“It’s an overwhelming feeling,” says Ms. Prayal-Brown, a first-year kinesiology master’s student. “I’m still letting it sink in.”
A stellar season
The men’s and women’s swimming teams are poised for another spectacular season. With many athletes breaking school records, qualifying for Olympic trials and leading in national rankings, the Tigers chances look great.
“This is the first time I can say it’s possible for the men to win,” says David Fry, head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming teams. “This is as good as we’ve ever been.”
The Tigers men are one of the top teams in Canada, and have been ranked first in the country at several points in the year. They currently sit at fifth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) rankings. “Right now we’re in the hunt,” says Mr. Fry. “To win a title, everything would need to go right.” Â
Before heading to nationals, the Tigers will attempt to capture the AUS title. If history is any precedent, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem: the men have won the title 13 consecutive times since 1999 and the women have won 10 consecutive titles since 2002. “I put a positive spin on the pressure,” says Mr. Fry. “It’s about focusing on your own performance. If they swim to their capabilities, then we’ll be okay.”
An experienced men's team, a fresh women's squad
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The experience of the men’s team will guide them through their road to nationals. Fifth-year biochemistry student Bryan Fumerton broke the AUS 400m medley record and is the defending AUS champion. Fourth-year swimmer David Sharpe is the defending AUS champion in the 100m and 200m backstroke and 100m and 200m butterfly.
Kyle Watson is super excited. He’s about to go to his first nationals as a rookie on the ±«Óătv Tigers men’s swimming team. “There’s no other team like us in the AUS,” says Mr. Watson. “Dal is miles ahead of other teams because of how we train. It’s nice to know so many people here support me.”
For the women, their inexperience hasn’t held them back. The Tigers women are ranked seventh in CIS rankings and 18 women have qualified for the CIS championships, the most women in the team’s history.
“It’s more than a pleasant surprise,” says Mr. Fry. “A year ago, events like the sprints were our weaknesses. We have had tremendous improvement.”
The turnaround has been quick. After Terri-Lynn Benison, the 2011 AUS Female Swimmer of the Year, graduated last year, the women’s team began rebuilding. First-year students Paige Crowell and Audrey Prayal-Brown broke the school records in 50m and 100m breaststroke at the AUS Invitational and are ranked in the CIS top 10 in both categories. Second-year student Keisha Mills is ranked in the top five nationally for the 200m breaststroke.
“I’m not putting pressure and expectations on myself,” says Ms. Prayal-Brown. “I trust the training program I’m going through. My background in sprinting really helps me. I’m new so I have no pressure.”
Home pool advantage
Luckily for the rookies, Dal will have the home pool advantage at the Subway AUS championships. For Paige Crowell, this means another opportunity for her parents to cheer for her and another member of the family. Her sister, Madeline will be swimming beside her as part of the Mount Allison Mounties.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her,” says Ms. Crowell. “I’ll still have fun.”