Gee-Gees hold down top 10 in rankings ahead of provincial championships
Photo credit: geegees.ca
The Gee-Gees are back in the pool and expecting to make an impact on the podium this season, where both the men’s and women’s teams are nationally ranked in the top 10.
Swimmers from across Ontario will gather on Jan. 16 in Toronto for the Ontario Cup, a precursor to the much-anticipated Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship to be held on Feb. 5, which the Gee-Gees will host.
After their winter break training camp in California, the Ontario Cup will give the Gee-Gees an opportunity to test themselves against this season’s competition in both the long short course.
Given the change in the short competition schedule this year, the Gees have not had many opportunities to race competitors in a rested state. It will be a good test for the athletes with proper rest.
Eryn Weldon, a fifth-year human kinetics student who’s ranked sixth nationally, is looking to build on her record-setting performance last season at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) nationals in the 200-metre individual medley where she finished with a time of 2:7.43.
“I think Gee-Gees fans should be excited about this year’s team,” said Weldon. “We’re coming off a great Christmas training camp, and I think the Gee-Gees will surprise themselves with the improvements they’ve made.”
Ultimately the team is looking to send as many swimmers as possible to the upcoming CIS championships to be held Feb. 19–20 in Victoria, B.C. With many of the swimmers at the cusp of the time standard for medals, Weldon and the team will be looking to train hard in the next month in order to get to the championships.
“The women’s team will also be aiming to finish top three at the OUAs, which will involve all the members of the team stepping up to score points,” said Weldon.
“Personally, I look forward to continue training hard in order to be ready to race the fastest girls in the country at the end of February,” she added. “This weekend is our first opportunity to race long course metres, which will help me prepare for CIS long course finals.”
With the extensive work, training, and preparation led by coach David Heinbuch, a former Olympian, the Gee-Gees look to have their best season to date.
