Pronghorns swim to success at 2022 Canada West Championship

The first medal from the U of L came on Friday in the men’s 50-metre backstroke. Chris Alexander earned silver with a time of 24.54, just behind first-place winner Blake Tierney of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds, who finished with a time of 24.25.

Apollo Hess, representing the Pronghorns, clocked in at 26.63 in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke, both in the qualifier and final event. His time broke his own Canadian record and earned him a gold medal.

Hess’ teammate Tristan Bennett posted a time of 27.74 in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke, a provincial record for 18-year-old swimmers. This earned Bennett a bronze medal.

Raine Arden of the Pronghorns placed fourth in the event.

At the end of the first day of the weekend competition, the U of L men’s side sat in third place, while the women’s side of the swim team was in fifth place.

DAY TWO

In the men’s 50-metre freestyle event, Chris Alexander tied with Stephen Calkins of the University of Calgary to earn bronze for the Pronghorns. Both Alexander and Calkins finished with a time of 15.50.

The breaststroke events saw Ryenne Katterhagen, Hunter Stewardson, Apollo Hess, and Tristan Bennett all hit the pool for the U of L.

Katterhagen fell short of the podium in the women’s 100-metre event, finishing in fourth. Eloise Allen and Alicia L’Archeveque of the UBC Thunderbirds won gold and silver, while Sophia Tarrant of the University of Victoria Vikes earned bronze.

Apollo Hess won gold for the U of L in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke, swimming to a time of 58.55. Pronghorn Athletics noted that following his win, Apollo Hess now holds the most records of any active Canada West swimmer.

Raine Arden of the U of L won gold in the 200-metre men’s freestyle with a time of 1:48.42, ahead of Paul McKenzie and Nathan Versluys, both competing for the University of Calgary.

The Pronghorns men’s side won bronze in the 400-metre freestyle relay to end day two.

Going into the final day of competition, the U of L men’s side was in third place in the standings, with the women’s side in sixth.

DAY THREE

Chris Alexander earned the first medal for the Pronghorns on Sunday, November 27. In the 100-metre men’s backstroke, Alexander captured a silver medal, behind Blake Tierney of the UBC Thunderbirds and ahead of Tierney’s teammate Hugh McNeill.

Apollo Hess successfully defended his gold medal in the A-Final of the 200-metre men’s breaststroke. He swam to a time of 2:10.25.

In the men’s 400-metre medley relay, the Pronghorns claimed a silver medal, behind the UBC Thunderbirds and ahead of the University of Calgary Dinos.

The UBC Thunderbirds claimed the overall women’s championship banner, while the University of Calgary won the championship banner on the men’s side.

Full results from the championship event are available from Canada West.

AWARD WINNERS

Following the competition, the major award winners for the 2022 Canada West Championship were announced in front of the crowd at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre.

Apollo Hess was named the Men’s Swimmer of the Meet, while U of L swim team head coach Peter Schori was named the Men’s Coach of the Year.

Below is a full list of the winners:

· Men’s Community Service Award – Mark Mckenzie (Calgary Dinos)

· Women’s Community Service Award – Olivia Roschat (Victoria Vikes)

· Women’s Coach of the Year – Derrick Schoof (UBC Thunderbirds)

· Men’s Coach of the Year – Peter Schori (Lethbridge Pronghorns)

· Women’s Rookie of the Meet – Eloise Allen (UBC Thunderbirds)

· Men’s Rookie of the Meet – Charlie Skalanda (Calgary Dinos)

· Women’s Swimmer of the Meet – Rebecca Smith (Calgary Dinos)

· Men’s Swimmer of the Meet – Apollo Hess (Lethbridge Pronghorns)

· Women’s Team Champion – UBC Thunderbirds

· Men’s Team Champion – Calgary Dinos

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

by Justin Goulet

Pronghorns swim to success at 2022 Canada West Championship

What's Happening