(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds men’s swimming team is adding Blake Kingston to its recruiting class of 2020.

The 18-year-old, from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent, and will join the Reds ahead of the 2020 Atlantic University Sport season.

Kingston, who’s finishing his Grade 12 year at Charlottetown’s Colonel Gray High School, specializes in the 400 metre individual medley and 200 metre breaststroke.

An 11-year member of the Charlottetown Bluephins Aquatic Club, Kingston swam with club’s elite national development group in 2019.

“The quality of the engineering program really appealed to me, and was one of the major reasons I chose UNB,” said Kingston. “I wanted a school that was known for success and competitiveness, and UNB met my expectations. I’m excited to represent them this year.”

With the Bluephins, Kingston has been part of three provincial record setting relay team efforts and earned the silver medal in the men’s 400 IM at the 2020 David Fry Nova Scotia Long Course Championships.

“Blake is a welcome addition to our men’s team,” said Reds head coach Marta Belsh. “With breaststroke as a speciality of his, it will allow us to put a strong relay together. I’m looking forward to seeing his performance grow and seeing him make his mark at conference meets.”

In 2017, Kingston was part of Prince Edward Island’s Canada Games team.

“I’m a hard worker, and I’ll bring an energetic attitude to every practice,” said Kingston. “I have a strong commitment to pursuing my own goals, and also helping my teammates achieve theirs. I have an ability to communicate in an intelligent and articulate manner, which helps me be a leader.”

Kingston has set making finals at upcoming AUS Swimming Championships among his goals as a Red.

He’ll study Engineering while attending UNB.