The 61st Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet saw remarkable performances from nearly 750 swimmers over three days at the UBC Aquatic Centre. Derrick Schoof, the T-Birds head coach, praised the extensive support from the local community and recognized the competitive atmosphere with notable swimmers participating. Three new meet records were set, one by Kylie Masse in the Women's 100m Backstroke, highlighting the exceptional talent at the event. American swimmer Liberty Clark also set a new record in the Women's 100m Freestyle, finishing two seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. The UBC Thunderbirds showcased strong relay performances, setting the stage for the upcoming Canadian Swimming Trials in Montreal.

By the Numbers
  • Kylie Masse set a new meet record in the Women's 100m Backstroke at 59.50 seconds.
  • Liberty Clark broke the Women's 100m Freestyle meet record with a time of 53.66 seconds.
State of Play
  • UBC's Yuri Kisil won the Men's 100m Freestyle with a time of 50.14 seconds.
  • The T-Birds women鈥檚 4x100m relay team placed second with a time of 4:10.87.
What's Next

The UBC Thunderbirds will focus on preparing for the Canadian Swimming Trials from July 5 to 9, which will serve as a critical evaluation for athletes vying for spots on the national team for the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August.

Bottom Line

This event marked a significant benchmark for the T-Birds, validating their training while setting competitive records and expectations as they gear up for national competitions in the coming weeks.