Smal Completes Backstroke Sweep

(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Reds captured a total of 13 medals at the Subway Atlantic University Sport Swimming Championships, in Halifax, including five gold.

Three days of competition concluded Sunday evening with the last session of finals, where Reds swimmers earned three podium finishes.

UNB's Leah Smal completed her sweep of the women's backstroke events, winning the 200 metre backstroke.

Noah Horwood won the men's 50 metre breaststroke, and swam under the U SPORTS Championship qualifying standard.

"Winning the 50-metre breaststroke for the second year in a row was really special for me," said Horwood. "There was a lot more competition in the conference this year and it feels pretty good to come out on top. It was fitting for my last race in AUS competition to be my favourite, and it means a lot that I was able to win."

The Reds also picked up a bronze medal in Sunday's women's 4 by 100 metre medley relay. The foursome featured Smal, Hannay Casey, Alexie Sanford, and Nikki Connors.

Smal won seven medals, four individual and three with relay teams.

"The weekend was great," said Smal. "I'm so fortunate to have a coach that spends a lot of time working with me on the small details of my stroke, dive, and turns, which makes all the difference in my races."

Second-year Red Erik Staeben won three medals, a gold in Friday's men's 100 metre butterfly, and silver and bronze in Saturday's 200 metre and 50 metre butterfly events.

Along with a pair of bronze medals in relay events, Hannah Casey earned an individual silver medal in the women's 200 metre butterfly.

Horwood and Smal are the only Reds to qualify for the U SPORTS Championships, in Victoria, British Columbia, February 20-22.

"Noah was unstoppable this weekend," said Reds head coach Marta Belsh. "He got best times in all his breaststroke races, which is a testament to his hard work on adjusting stroke technique which is not an easy task. He worked diligently and stayed focused on his goal, which paid off in best times and medal performances."

Belsh praised Smal for her seven medal weekend, saying the veteran is as much a supportive teammate as she is a standout performer.

"Having Leah perform so well made the team step up and race harder," she said. "She's a great team leader. Humble, mature and always ready to support her teammates."

The Dalhousie Tigers won the women's title and the combined team championship, while the Acadia Axemen ended Dal's 21 year run as men's champs.

The Reds finished third in the women's standings, and fourth on the men's side and in the combined team standings.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics