Smal Earns Second AUS Gold

(HALIFAX, NS) It was another golden day at the 2019 Subway Atlantic University Swimming Championships for the UNB Reds.

UNB swimmers won two more gold medals at the Halifax meet.

Leah Smal (Fredericton, NB) continued her amazing weekend by winning the women's 50 metre backstroke, in 28.56 seconds.

"I was pretty happy with the time," said Smal. "It's a new personal best."

Smal finished ahead of swimmers from Dal and Acadia.

It was the second gold medal of the meet for Smal, who's earned five medals so far.

Noah Horwood won his second gold of the weekend, finishing first in the men's 100 metre breaststroke.

Horwood finished more than a second ahead of the runner-up.

"Last year, I finished second in this race, so to be able to see the improvement and win it means a lot," said Horwood. "The first 50, I went out really strong and held it for the second 50. I lost a little bit, so hopefully coming into U SPORTS, I'm going to be able to tighten that up and improve on doing the last 50."

In the women's 800 metre freestyle relay, UNB earned a bronze medal.

The Reds employed a team of Smal, Jennifer Moore (Hamilton, ON), Sienna Coward (Newmarket, ON) and Alexie Sanford (New Maryland, NB).

"All the girls gave a hundred percent and we got third. That was awesome," said Smal.

After two days of competition, UNB sits third, behind Dalhousie and Acadia, in both the women's and men's standings.

"I think it was another awesome session for the team," said Reds head coach Robin Ferdinand.

The final day of the championships goes Sunday, with heats at 10:00am and finals at 6:00pm.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics