Update: Six Top Three Finishes for Gee-Gees in 2021 University Swimming Challenge

The Gee-Gees swimming team had six top three finishes in the 2021 University Swimming Challenge, including a first-ranked swim from Alexandre Perreault in the 50m butterfly.

The new national virtual competition, held in partnership with Swimming Canada, was organized by member programs from Feb. 27-Apr. 4. All U SPORTS eligible swimmers were able to post times in any of 41 events – including all 38 in the U SPORTS championship program, as well as the 100m individual medley, 4x50m freestyle relay, and the 4x50m individual medley relay. 

In total, 369 student-athletes from 16 schools across all four conferences took part, registering 1,357 individual and 59 relay races. All swims were conducted in short course (25m) format, with the best time per swimmer counting in the final rankings. As the event is not considered an official national championship, no major award winners, records or medals will be awarded or recognized. 

For the Gee-Gees, as a team the men ranked fifth. That result matches the program's finish at the U SPORTS national championship in 2020. Perreault led the way with his top-ranked time of 24.06 in the 50m butterfly and also ranked third in the 100m butterfly, touching the wall at 54.28. 

Perreault was also a member of the 4x100m freestyle team which ranked second, swimming third after Allan Zheng and Noah Wagner, giving way to Nathan Schiffmann for the anchor. Wagner, Perreault, and Zheng followed Gordon Forrest on the lead leg to rank third in the 4x50m medley relay. 

The Gee-Gees women's 4x100m freestyle relay team ranked third. Abby Simms, Adelle Yamashita-Ball, Malorie Kanaan, and Katie Callon combined for a time of 3:56.02. Talea Claasens, Lauren Sherer, Yamashita-Ball and Simms teamed up for a third-ranked swim in the 4x50m medley relay.

The Gee-Gees swim team salutes the careers of its graduating student-athletes, including 2020-21 team captain Vince Sljuka. Also joining the alumni ranks are Joanne Diemert, Lauren Shearer, Dana Sherrard, Jacob Isaac, and Alexandre Perreault. 

In addition to the 2021 University Swimming Challenge, the Gee-Gees swim team also ran its own internal series, called the International Gee-Gee Swimming League, drafting teams to create an intra-squad competition. The winning team, the 'Dave Hein-Bucks' was crowned in December. 

Abby Simms and Allen Zheng were named team MVPs for the 2020-21 season.