UBC able to welcome swimming stars at annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet

The UBC Aquatic Centre shall be residence to loads of high-level swimming as soon as once more this weekend, as almost 750 athletes will hit the water on the 61st annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet from Friday, June 5 via Sunday, June 7.
 
With preliminary periods within the mornings and finals every night, the times shall be jam-packed with quick swimming and the possibility to see each established and rising stars in motion.
 
“We are very excited once again to be hosting the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet here at UBC,” stated Thunderbirds head coach Derrick Schoof. “The meet provides world-class competition, the opportunity for the local swimmers to watch Olympians in action, and it builds excitement for competitive swimming in the lower mainland. We are so tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of the Zajac Foundation.”

 

One of the top-tier athletes in motion is Kylie Masse, who returns to the meet after some nice performances contained in the UBC Aquatic Centre final May. The five-time Olympic medalist is likely one of the most embellished swimmers in Canadian historical past, and has competed for the senior nationwide staff for over a decade.

 

Fellow 2024 Canadian Olympic medalist Josh Liendo can even be at this weekend’s occasion, with the 23-year-old returning to the Mel Zajac Jr. meet for the primary time since he took silver within the Men’s 100m Butterfly in Paris.

 

Other prime non-Thunderbird headliners embody Santo Condorelli, who represented Canada on the 2016 Olympics earlier than successful silver for Italy on the 2020 Games, and Apollo Hess, who made his Olympic debut for Canada in 2024.

 

There shall be loads of present and former T-Bird stars competing on the occasion as effectively, led by 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Swimmer of the Year and UBC Female Athlete of the Year Kayla Sanchez. The checklist of stars additionally consists of Yuri Kisil, Emma O’Croinin, Finlay Knox and Blake Tierney.

 

“I know our Olympic-level swimmers will put up some incredible performances as well as many top junior swimmers from all over Canada as well as the U.S.,” added Schoof. “We are excited to be welcoming the U.S. Junior National Team as well as Canadian National and Junior National Team members. A big thank you to UBC and the Vancouver Pacific Swim Club who put in many hours of work in making this such a successful event.”

 

On every of the three days of the meet the preliminary races start at 9:00 a.m., ending at roughly 1:00 p.m. on Friday and Sunday and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday (all instances PT). The finals start at 5:30 p.m. on every day, ending at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and eight:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets for every of the six periods price $15.

 

In addition to serving as a showcase of Canadian and worldwide swimming, the occasion can also be an vital tune-up forward of August’s Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

 

“This year’s competition lines up exactly one month prior to our Canadian Swimming Trials which will select athletes to represent Canada at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships,” stated Schoof. “It’s an excellent opportunity for our swimmers to put down some fast in-season performances before peaking four weeks later. The performances this weekend will provide much needed feedback to the swimmers and coaches on how to best prepare for the upcoming trials.”

 

The Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation has sponsored the annual meet since 1998, with their assist permitting the occasion to draw prime expertise every yr. The meet is known as after Mel Zajac Jr., who was a swimmer on the Canadian National Team and competed for Canada on the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, with the weekend offering the chance to honour his aggressive spirit and love of swimming.

For extra on the every day schedules, tickets, and additional particulars concerning the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet, click on right here: https://www.swimzajac.com.