First Year Feature Presented by Outcast - February

First Year Feature Presented by Outcast - February

The transition from high school to university athletics can be challenging for any first-year student-athlete. Brought to you in partnership with Outcast Upcycled Nutrition, we’re featuring first-year athletes from each of our seven varsity sports each month this season. This month we take a closer look at swimmer Logan Sparkes and his path to the AUS!

Sparkes is from Agassiz, British Columbia and is majoring in physics & atmospheric sciences.

How long have you been swimming competitively?

I have been swimming for 11 years.

Have you always raced the same events?

I've only been a distance swimmer for the past three years, before that I swam mainly backstroke.

What other sports did you play growing up?

I played water polo for two years in 2017 and 2018.

Why do you love swimming?

I love swimming because it gives me something to push myself in. I can set goals and work towards them and see improvements as they happen.

Who is somebody in sport you admired growing up and why?

Brent Hayden swam for my club before I joined and went on to win bronze at the 2008 Olympics. He inspired me because he showed that small town talent can take you far.

What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?

Qualifying for the Canadian Olympic trials and not being able to go because of COVID-19.

What made you choose Dalhousie University?

I went on recruitment trips to a few universities closer to home, but none could compete with the great team dynamics I experienced here, so I committed.

What are some differences you’ve noticed being a part of a DAL team compared to previous teams?

Living with other rookies in residence makes the team unit so much stronger. The support is unreal.

How have you enjoyed your time with the team so far?

Group activities have been hard to arrange because of the group size limits but the times we have had together have been a lot of fun.

How have you enjoyed classes/the university so far?

Classes so far have been interesting with having to deal with online learning, but Dal is doing a great job of making everything work. Otherwise, classes are going well and the university experience here is a lot of fun.

What are some of your interests outside of sports?

I like bonfires by the river, skiing and hiking with my friends, and walking my dog through the fields around my house.

 

Fast Fact Questions

Favourite food? Grilled cheese with bacon and guacamole

Favourite movie? Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

Must have warm-up song or current favourite song? Tequila Shots by Kid Cudi

Favourite professional athlete or team? Florent Manauduo

What do you want to be when you grow up? Astronomer

Any pre-race superstitions/routines? Always have to listen to Can't Hold Us before a big race, and I can't listen to it any other time or it ruins the song.