The 61st annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet kicked off with an exciting first night at the UBC Aquatic Centre. Key highlights included a thrilling Men's 50m Butterfly final with a close finish among Olympians Santo Condorelli, Josh Liendo, and Finlay Knox. Eloise Allen snagged the day's only individual win for the Thunderbirds, dominating the Women's 100m Breaststroke. The evening closed with a dramatic Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay victory for the Thunderbirds. The event was dedicated to Mel Zajac Sr., honoring his unwavering support for the swim meet.

By the Numbers
  • Santo Condorelli won the Men's 50m Butterfly final in 23.69 seconds.
  • Eloise Allen claimed victory in the Women's 100m Breaststroke with a time of 1:09.69.
  • Liberty Clark set a new meet record in the Women's 200m Freestyle at 1:57.64.
  • The Thunderbirds finished second in the Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay with a time of 3:44.06.
Yes, But

Despite the strong performances, the competition remains tough with formidable teams like the U.S. Junior National Team consistently pushing the limits, which brings both challenges and motivation to the local swimmers.

State of Play
  • The event continues with preliminary races scheduled for 9 a.m. and finals at 5:30 p.m. (PT) tomorrow.
  • The atmosphere is competitive, as local athletes strive to match the performance levels of the international swimmers.
What's Next

As the meet progresses, expectations are high for more record-breaking performances and exciting head-to-head races, particularly in the relay events where the Thunderbirds have shown depth and teamwork.

Bottom Line

The success of the first night reflects both the competitive spirit of the athletes and the legacy of Mel Zajac Sr., whose contributions have distinctly elevated the stature of this international swim meet in Canada.