The Martlet

With the Canadian Western Championships taking place this weekend in Edmonton, the UVic swim teams are busy preparing for competition.

This season the Vikes may look a little different, but the work ethic and intensity are still there. With two-time CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) coach of the year Peter Vizsolyi at the helm for his 29th season, the teams are feeling confident heading into Can Wests.

The loss of Vikes superstar swimmers Nick Sinclair and Hilary Caldwell to Olympic training will certainly hurt the Vikes come nationals time. This, however, has allowed other swimmers the chance to fill new roles.

Fourth-year social sciences and journalism student Ella Dalling says, “I’ve noticed girls stepping up and beating personal bests all season.”

Dalling, who specializes in backstroke, met her National time qualifications in September and has spent all season gearing up with the team for the Canadian National Championships (CIs as it is known to the swimmers) in February.

CIS swimming is a team event, which puts more responsibility on the athletes as they take the starting block. They’re no longer solely competing for themselves; they’re swimming for the team.

“Swimming is always an individual sport,” Dalling says, “…but there is definitely a different energy at CIS events, when you get up on the block and the whole team is there, supporting you.”

Fresh off training camp in San Diego, the Vikes women look fit, strong and ready to compete. Can Wests will be a good indicator of where they stand heading into CIs .

Both the men’s and women’s teams are dealing with personnel loss due to Olympic training. In those swimmers’ absence, the current Vikes all need to work hard if they want to place well at Canadian nationals.

Head coach Peter Vizsolyi says, “When you have athletes at that level, they are natural leaders by performance.”

“We are not looking to any one person in particular to become a leader,” he says. “We look at the whole group to step up and perform as a unit.”

Can Wests are primarily a training tournament as far as the Vikes are concerned. With most of the team already making their national qualifying time, this meet will be a good indication of where the individuals line up for nationals.

“For us, Can Wests isn’t a priority,” Vizsolyi says. “Our goal is to have most of our swimmers qualify for CIs.”

For some of the Vikes swimmers, Edmonton could be the last stop of their varsity season. If they fail to make their national qualifying time, they’re not eligible to compete at CIs.

Third-year economics student and Vikes veteran Ian Mattock says, “[Can Wests are] an interesting meet. There are some swimmers that are shaved and tapered and trying to make their national qualifying time, and some that are just using it as training.”

Even though Can Wests are not the highest priority for the Vikes, it will be an important event to keep fit and see what the competition has to offer. It also offers the opportunity for the swimmers to experience the team atmosphere.

“The team aspect really shows up at CIs. Like last year when we were in a tight point race with Alberta,” Mattock says. “The team provides added support but also added pressure and it makes you really want to put points on the board.”

As CIs draw near, the pressure mounts on the Vikes swimming team. For some, Can Wests are a last chance at making their standard, and for others, they’re a training ground to make a splash on the national stage.