Backstroker Baikie Joining REDS

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s swimming team is adding backstroker Madelaine Baikie to their recruiting class of 2025.

The 17-year-old, finishing her Grade 12 year at Citadel High School in her hometown of Halifax, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 Atlantic University Sport season.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with Madelaine,” said REDS’ head coach Marta Belsh. “She set herself apart as a hard-working, detail-oriented, and driven individual. Those qualities are incredibly helpful when working with a large group of student-athletes.”

Baikie is a veteran member of the Halifax Trojans Aquatic Club and specializes in the 50, 100, and 200-metre backstroke.

She qualified for the 2024 Eastern Canadian Championships, and at the 2024 David Fry East Coast Championships, she was a member of the top overall team and part of the top women’s team.

“The REDS stuck out to me because of their familial and hard-working environment,” she said. “I thrive in positive and encouraging environments.”

“Madelaine made a very positive impression on the team during her recruiting trip,” said Coach Belsh. “Her backstroke specialty is a welcome addition to our women’s team.”

Baikie says her immediate goal as a RED will be to improve her time in the 200-metre backstroke. Longer-term, she hopes to qualify for the U SPORTS Championships.

Baikie will study Psychology will attending UNB.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO: Submitted