Connors Joins Reds

Frederictonian Nikki Connors has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the UNB Reds women's swimming team in the 2019-2020 season. (Photo: Submitted)
Frederictonian Nikki Connors has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the UNB Reds women's swimming team in the 2019-2020 season. (Photo: Submitted)
Posted: Aug 22, 2019

(FREDERICTON, NB) One of the top high school swimmers in New Brunswick is staying home.

Nikki Connors, two-time defending New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association breaststroke champion over 50 and 100 metres, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the UNB Reds swimming team.

“As a kid, I always dreamed about swimming at the varsity level, and I finally get to do that,” said Connors. “I’ve seen great things develop with the Reds and I’m eager to be a part of it.”

Connors joins the Reds after two successful seasons as a member of the swim team at Fredericton’s Leo Hayes High School.

At this year’s New Brunswick high school championship meet, Connors won the 50 and 100-metre breaststrokes, earned a silver medal in the 100-metre individual medley, and helped the Lions 4-by-50-metre medley relay team to a second place finish.

At the 2018 provincial high school championships, she won the 50 and 100-metre breaststrokes, the 100-metre individual medley, and was part of the Lions gold medal winning 4-by-50-metre medley relay team.

As a member of FAST (Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team), Connors, won gold in the 400-metre individual medley at the provincial short course championships, earned silver medals in the 100 and 200-metre breaststrokes, and a bronze in the 200-metre backstroke.

At the provincial long course championships, she scored a silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley and bronze medals in the 100 and 200-metre breaststrokes.

“As a distance swimmer, Nikki will help us improve our performance,” said Marta Belsh, head coach of the Reds swimming team. “She has an excellent work ethic and is not afraid to work hard. Her positive attitude will be a welcome addition.”

“I love to push others and myself in practice,” said the former captain of the Leo Hayes Lions swim team and FAST co-captain. “Some of my goals for this season are to establish a strong presence and working hard to represent the Reds well at the AUS Championships.”

Connors will pursue a Bachelor of Science-Kinesiology degree while attending UNB.