This past weekend the Tigers won the UNB Invitational meet in Saint John, New Brunswick, completing the set of AUS meet titles this season. Helping them achieve undefeated status the Tigers have a mix of seasoned veterans and youth leading the way.

Second-year Kate Tuck burst onto the scene last year, qualifying for U SPORTS as a rookie. The Sunderland, Ont. native finished third in the women’s 50m breaststroke final at the AUS Championship last year. 

“I touched the wall, looked up and saw I finished third, which felt crazy. I was not expecting it at all. It was an awesome feeling,” says the science major.

The women’s team has won 21 straight AUS titles and will look to make it 22 this year in their home pool in Dalplex.

“I'm looking at it with no expectations. I’m looking to have fun going to a new pool I've never swam in, so I think that will be a fun time,” says Tuck. “The whole team is super excited.”

First nationals experience

Last year at nationals in Victoria, B.C., Tuck helped the Tigers capture fifth place in the women's 800m freestyle relay. Tuck immediately made an impact in her first season, letting her teammates know she would be a key swimmer for the program.

“We immediately knew we had a star with Kate,” says fifth-year swimmer and 2016 Olympian Noah Mascoll-Gomes. “She leads by example.”

Looking ahead to this year’s U SPORTS swimming championship, Tuck feels more prepared after having the first experience of nationals under her belt.

“Last year, I didn't really know what to expect because I was super young. I just felt everyone I was competing against was so much older than me,” says Tuck, who will be heading to nationals with her teammates at McGill University in Montreal, Que., for March 7. “My teammates were all super supportive and helped me get rid of my nerves. This year, I feel less nervous and less pressure.”

First-year star

The Tigers have another young star on the rise in Morgan Sparkes. Morgan qualified for U SPORTS in his first semester at the Kemp-Fry meet in November in the 1500m, along with his brother Logan Sparkes on the men’s team.

“It's great to achieve that goal, especially early in the season. It's amazing that I get to go to nationals with my brother,” says the Agassiz, B.C. native.

Logan finished first with a time of 15:38.94, with younger brother Morgan finishing second with a time of 15:55.93.

“It’s a pretty crazy feeling knowing that the Sparkes brothers are going to U SPORTS together and he did it in his first opportunity,” says Logan.

 Flying across the country to swim for Dal, Morgan gets to train with his brother, pushing the two of them. Morgan says it gives him a lot of motivation, helping improve his swimming. It pushes Logan due to the fact he does not want to lose to his younger brother.

“There's been times in practice or in a race where he'll be pushing me and if it wasn't my brother, I might let them pass me,” says Logan, a third-year kinesiology major.

Qualifying for U SPORTS in the first semester of Morgan’s swimming career is no small feat and is one recognized by his teammates.

 “To make U SPORTS in your first semester, I think, is pretty commendable, and I think he is on track to accomplish a lot in the sport,” says fifth year Mascoll-Gomes.

Feeling welcomed

 Not only has he been welcomed to the team by his brother, Logan, but the whole swim team and staff have embraced Morgan. 

 “The Dal team is very supportive. I’ve already made friendships and it’s a great atmosphere,” says Morgan.

 The swimming team is a tight-knit group, helping young swimmers like Tuck and Morgan settle into university. Many of the swimmers live together, and the leaders on the team are always willing to give a helping hand with academics and athletics.

 “When you need help in school, everyone goes to the library and studies together,” says Tuck. “The captains are great at showing their support in both the student and athlete aspects of being a Tiger.”

The men’s team has won 23 of the last 24 conference championships, surrounding Morgan with success and talent at Dalhousie.

 “I think being competitive and a top national team is good for my development because you’re always trying to push the limits for the team,” says Morgan. “I believe that I have more to come.”

 The Tigers return to the pool in Dalplex on February 23 when they host the AUS championship.