SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees swim team have their eyes on the RSEQ podium once again, Lemesle looking for another U SPORTS gold

The University of Ottawa swim team is set to get the 2024-25 season started with the RSEQ Cup #1 on Oct. 11 at McGill.

Following a great showing at the 2023-24 RSEQ Championship where both the men's and women's team finished second place and brought home 34 medals. The Gee-Gees have their eyes on the podium once again.

Claiming the University of Ottawa's Varsity Men's Athlete of Year recognition, the Gee-Gees are excited to have Hugo Lemesle returning to the team. Last season, he earned three gold medals on the national stage, winning the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke events. Fans will be looking to see if Lemesle can repeat such a dominant performance at the U SPORTS Championship level.

The two-time All-Canadian will look to expand on his medal collection. It currently includes six U SPORTS Medals and 17 RSEQ medals.

A pair of Gee-Gees made their mark as rookies in the 2023-24 season. Alym Kurji claimed six medals at the RSEQ Championship, two of them gold. On the women's side, Isabelle Langridge earned three bronze medals before making her first appearance on the U SPORTS stage.

Isabelle Melanson was another top contributor for the women's team, earning two silvers and a bronze medal at the RSEQ Championship meet. She went on to compete in backstroke events at the U SPORTS Championship tournament.

The team is filled with talent, but a few other names to look out for include Colin Shearer, Jakob Mbobela, Nathan Beaudin-Bolduc, Christophe Lanouette, Alex Strople, Taylor Elliot, Rachel McInnes, Abigail McKinley, Vanessa Thebarge, Selin Turan, Margaret Quinn, and Josephine Streppel.

A handful of recruits helps round out the Gee-Gees squad as they head into a long, exciting season. Swimmers will be aiming to compete at the RSEQ Championship on Feb. 14-16 in Montreal and eventually qualify for the U SPORTS Championship at Toronto in March.