The Tigers kept the ball rolling as they headed down to
Wolfville to compete in the Jack Scholz Invitational. They got
great performances from the whole team with many Tigers finishing
atop the podium, while the 200m freestyle and medley relay team
also went home with gold. The Tigers ran away as they separated
themselves from the competition, winning their second straight meet
in convincing fashion.
Six Tigers posted CIS-qualifying times during Dal’s
first home swim meet of the year. Fifth-year phenom David Sharpe
finished first in the 200m butterfly and broke the AUS and Nova
Scotia record in the process. Plenty of other first-place finishes
and podium appearances helped the Tigers blow away the competition
with 291.5 points to finish first.
Heading into the break with three victories in as many meets,
the Tigers looked poised to capture their 16th consecutive AUS
title. After winning the second Dalhousie Invitational, the team
readied themselves for the AUS championships at Memorial University
on February 7-9.
In the last AUS championship of his career, Sharpe did not
disappoint as he led the Tigers with five gold medals as he was
named the men’s championship swimmer of the meet. Joe Ur won
both the 50m back and butterfly events. Kyle Watson and Chris Reith
also found the top of the podium with wins in the 400m and 1500m
freestyle events, respectively. All three relays bested the rest,
giving the Tigers their 16th consecutive AUS title.
Heading into the CIS championship with hopes of a top 10
finish, the Tigers did just that. A two-medal performance from
David Sharpe and a top 10 finish from Kyle Watson helped them earn
tenth place in the country as they finished with 120 points on the
weekend.
David Sharpe was named the AUS swimmer of the year for the fifth
and final time, while Lance Cansdale was
This marked the end of illustrious careers of team co-captains
David Sharpe and Joe Ur as both are set to graduate. Sharpe leaves
as the most decorated swimmer in Tigers history, winning 13 CIS
medals in his time with the Tigers and was named the AUS swimmer of
the year each season. Ur competed at the CIS championship each
year, was the anchor of the men’s relay teams and provided
leadership and guidance to the Tigers younger swimmers.
Second year head coach Lance Cansdale was very proud of his
team’s accomplishments this year and was very proud of his
team’s hard work all season long.
“The pay-off for consistent
performance is reliable results,” adds Cansdale. “My
hope is that we build on this year and with the continued training
and addition of a few new fast athletes, we will once again be
ready to challenge the best in the AUS and the best in the
country.”
