Charli LeBlanc eighth overall in 50 back at Day One of nationals

(VICTORIA, B.C) UNB Swimming hit the pool yesterday for Day One of the CIS national championship hosted by the University of Victoria at Saanich Commonwealth Place. 

The Varsity Reds have three swimmers competing at the meet, each of whom swam one race. Cassey Mooney competed in the 100m breaststroke, posting a time of 1:13.60. Kaitlyn Young swam a season best time of 1:05.11 in the 100m butterfly. And leading the way for the V-Reds was Charli LeBlanc whose time of 29.43 put her in the B Final, where she would eventually post the eighth fastest time and the third fastest for a first-year swimmer. 

UNB head coach Robin Ferdinand says she's happy to see the swimmers stepping up to the challenge.

"These are some solid swims for session one of the championships," Ferdinand said. "They're swimming against the best in the country, so it's great to see them rise to the challenge and meet it."

LeBlanc says she's content with her swim today, even if her dive in the preliminaries was slower than she would have liked.

"I got out-touched for first in the B Final which was frustrating, but I'm honoured to be beaten by most of these swimmers," LeBlanc said. "To say I swim at the same level as them is unbelievable."

"Fifty back is my best event, and I'm content with waht I did today. Always room for improvement though. Always." 

Looking ahead at Day Two, LeBlanc says she and the V-Reds expect it to be another challenging day.

"I just have to stay focussed and remind myself that this is my first CIS and there is room for changes and improvements."

All sessions are webcast live on www.CIS-SIC.tv and live results are available on the championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/swim/index