REDS Run Fourth At Acadia Meet
(WOLFVILLE, NS) The UNB REDS swam to a fourth place finish in the combined team standings at the first meet of the 2023-2024 Atlantic University Sport swimming season.
The REDS also took fourth in both the women’s and men’s standings at Acadia’s Jack Scholz Invitational.
In Saturday’s opening session, Blake Kingston led the REDS swimming to a third place finish in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke.
Craig Bush was 5th in the men’s 50-metre butterfly, just 7/10ths of a second out of fourth place.
In the women’s 400-metre freestyle, first year RED Erika Handregan was fifth.
In weekend’s second session, on Sunday, Kingston was second in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke, beating Dalhousie’s Connor Maloney to the wall by just 3/10ths of a second.
“The first meet of the season serves as a personal gauge for me,” said Kingston. “It’s not just about times and ranks, but about how I felt in the water and what I can take from this experience moving forward.”
Also on Sunday, Maxime Kenny swam to third place in the men’s 50-metre backstroke while Handregan posted another fifth, this time in the women’s 800-metre freestyle.
“I had a great time this weekend, being able to compete individually and having the opportunity to swim on the REDS relays both days,” said Handregan.
“It was great to be back on the deck and competing,” said REDS’ head coach Marta Belsh. “We’re still early in the season and adjusting stroke techniques, making changes to the race tactics, and working on pace. All those pieces play a big role in racing and we need more time to prepare. It’s difficult to keep the expectations in check during the first competition of the season.”
The Dalhousie Tigers finished atop the combined team standings, while Acadia was second and Memorial third.
“I’m looking forward to the next competition,” said Belsh. “We can implement the feedback from this meet and get more specific with race execution.”
The REDS will host the next meet on the AUS schedule, the Amby Legere Invitational, November 4th and 5that the Sir Max Aitken Pool.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics