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Apollo Hess is one of the 14 University of Lethbridge swimmers set to compete at the U SPORTS Swimming Championships in Victoria, British Columbia February 23-25, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

University of Lethbridge swimmers ready for U SPORTS Championships

Feb 22, 2023 | 11:22 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge (U of L) Pronghorns are headed to Vancouver Island.

Members of the Pronghorn Athletics swim team will compete at the 2023 U SPORTS Swimming Championships from Thursday, February 23, 2023 to Saturday, February 25 in Victoria, British Columbia.

In total, the U of L is sending 14 swimmers to the championship event, including six women and eight men. Apollo Hess will defend his U SPORTS and Canada West gold medals in the 50 and 200-metre breaststroke events. Meanwhile, Chris Alexander is coming off capturing bronze in the 50-metre backstroke at the 2022 event.

In the 200-metre freestyle, 2022 Canada West gold medal winner Raine Arden will lead the Pronghorns. Parker Brown will join Hess, Alexander and Arden in the medley and free relays after capturing a gold and silver at the 2022 U SPORTS Championships.

The Pronghorn Athletics women’s swim team will be led by first-year qualifiers, Ryenne Katterhagen and Delaney Lehman. Katterhagen will compete in the breaststroke events, and Lehman will take part in the sprint backstroke and freestyle events.

In a news release, Pronghorns coach Peter Schori said, “U SPORTS Nationals brings excitement and new challenges every year. This year, we have the excitement of eight first time qualifiers and the challenge of a new measuring bar for Pronghorn Swimming.”

The event takes place at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.