FIRST-YEAR SWIMMERS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DUAL MEET VICTORY OVER YORK

The No. 2 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's swimming team and the No. 4 national ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's swimming team earned victories in their dual meet over the York Lions on Saturday (Jan. 10) morning at the Athletic Centre – Varsity Pool.

The Blues women's swimming team doubled up the Lions by a score of 66-33. Meanwhile, the men's team won 50-39.

"It's been seven weeks since we've gone off the blocks," said head coach Byron MacDonald. "Training is great and we did it at an intense level over the holidays but this helped us translate our training into racing performance."

First-year swimmers were crucial to U of T's success in their first meet of 2026. On the women's side, first-year engineering student Maria Cosic earned two first-place finishes. The Calgary native claimed the top spot on the podium in the 50m freestyle and the 100m individual medley. "Maria is so versatile," said MacDonald. "She's a coaches dream because she can give us a shot at winning any race. She'll play a critical role in our upcoming meets." Her twin sister, Milena Cosic also earned a first-place finish in the 100m backstroke.

On the men's side, first-year Bermuda native Elijah Daley was the dominant swimmer of the meet with three first-place finishes. Daley claimed top prize in the 50m and 100m breaststroke as well as the 100m individual medley. "Our coaching staff knew how valuable Elijah would be to our program and he's proving us right," MacDonald said.

Up next for the Blues is the U of T Winter Invitational at the Athletic Centre – Varsity Pool on Saturday (Jan. 17) morning. The event is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m., and live stats are available here.