“In an Olympic year, you need to start doing abnormal things–you have to swim abnormally fast,” stated Dinos swimming Head Coach Mike Blondal.
The Nov. 7-9 Cascade Speed Meet results justify the rhetoric.
The high-calibre club competition saw the University of Calgary Dinos race fast, only a week after a tiring College’s Cup meet in Vancouver.
The Dinos stole all three medals in the women’s 200m freestyle, men’s 100m butterfly and 200m breaststroke. First-place finishes were also achieved in the men’s 100m breaststroke, women’s 100m backstroke and 200m butterfly.
It’s not only veteran swimmers and Olympic contenders on track, newcomers to the varsity team are also contributing to the impressive Dinos results.
Morgan Engi, a first-year Natural Science major and Red Deer native, has already qualified for CIS championships in the 200m fly–the first rookie swimmer to do so.
“I didn’t expect to qualify this weekend,” said a shy Engi.
Friday’s Prairie Meet at the U of C pool was equally fast as both Dinos men’s and women’s teams finished first, overwhelming the universities of Manitoba, Alberta and Lethbridge.
Mental focus is now key as the strategy moves from training hard to getting fast, in preparation for the Canadian Open and Short Course National Championships in Quebec City, Nov. 27-30.
“While resting, it’s difficult to stay tough,” said Blondal.”But we’re right on track.”
More photos here.