SEASON PREVIEW: Swim team looking to build upon historic season
While celebrating the 50th year of their program, the Gee-Gees had a historic 2022-23 season. The men's team earned their best finish in program history, claiming a bronze medal at the U SPORTS National Championship. Another accomplishment for the program came when Dave Heinbuch became their first U SPORTS Coach of the Year recipient.
In 2023-24, the Gee-Gees will be looking to build upon their monumental season. With many great swimmers returning to the team, there are sure to be plenty of medals in Ottawa's future.
On the men's side, Hugo Lemesle earned U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian honours after bringing home silver and bronze medals in the 200m and 50m breaststroke races. He is joined by Nathan Beaudin-Bolduc who earned a U SPORTS bronze medal in the 400m freestyle.
Brendan Van Herk, Evan Aguiar-Winter, Ryan Jensen, Judson Nickerson, were all leaders, contributing to the 32 medals the Gee-Gees earned at the RSEQ Championship.
The 200m, 400m, and 800m relay teams can be expected to swim competitive times for both the men's and women's swimmers.
The women have several veteran swimmers back on the team, including Rachel McInnes, Isabelle Melanson, and Vanessa Thebarge, who each earned more than one RSEQ medal in 2022-23. McInnes and Thebarge both silver and bronze medals in relay events while Melanson earned silver in the 400m freestyle relay and silver in the 100m backstroke.
They're joined by Amy Meharg, Taylor Elliot, Morgane Shuster, and Abby McKinley.
The Gee-Gees have a packed schedule this fall, starting with the first RSEQ Cup on Oct. 6th. Ottawa will compete against Waterloo and Carleton on Oct. 14th at Carleton before heading to Sherbrooke for the second RSEQ Cup on Oct. 21st.
On Nov. 11th, the Gee-Gees will be swimming in their own pool as they host RSEQ Cup 3 at Montpetit Hall before closing out 2023 at the Neptune Meet at Montreal on Dec. 1-3.
In the new year, the Gee-Gees will be in Montreal on Jan. 19th for RSEQ Cup 4. Ottawa will then travel to Toronto for a Jan. 27th Dual Meet to get one last competition in before the RSEQ Provincial Championship from Feb. 16-18th.
Qualifying Gee-Gees will have the opportunity to compete at the U SPORTS National Championship hosted by McGill from Mar. 7-9th, 2024.